Image Credit- Getty
Melbourne Renegades defeated Brisbane Heat by two runs
in an exciting upset, ending an eight-game losing streak. The game’s final over
saw captain Hayley Matthews emerge victorious.
At the beginning of Matthews’ 20th over, the Heat
needed six runs to win, but the West Indies great let up just three runs to
silence Courtney Sippel and Nicola Hancock at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
Prior to this, Matthews was expected to score a run
that would win the game, and she succeeded with her greatest and most
significant WBBL season, scoring 46 off of 28 balls to aid Renegades in posting
169 for 7.
Before a late burst from Jess Jonassen and Hancock
placed the Heat on the verge of victory at the conclusion of the 19th over,
Heat starter Grace Harris maintained her side in the hunt with a strong 65 from
just 36 balls.
Before making her spectacular comeback in the last
over to hold the Heat to 167 for 9, Matthews claimed the early wicket of
Georgia Redmayne and two elegant catches.
Matthews hit balls all over the pitch with his bat. In
the final overs, she appeared concerning until seamer Hancock, who concluded
with her highest-ever career figures of 4 for 20, bowled her.
The Renegades were 134 for 2 in the 16th over before
Hancock and part-timer Harris pegged them back. Harris picked up 2 for 16 with
her offspin.
The loss could be costly for the Heat who stay in
third position on the WBBL table on 14 points, two behind leaders Perth
Scorchers.