Heat reach WBBL decider thanks to biggest-ever finals score

The Brisbane Heat will take on the Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL grand final after crushing the Perth Scorchers by 67 runs at the WACA Ground.

Star Heat opener Grace Harris pummelled 54 off 33 balls to lift the visitors to a formidable 5-197 in Wednesday night’s preliminary final.

Charli Knott (32* off 14), Amelia Kerr (31 off 23) and Laura Harris (24 off 11) chipped in with handy scores as the Heat posted the biggest ever total in a WBBL finals match.

In reply, the Scorchers were restricted to 8-130, with only Natalie Sciver-Brunt (36 off 27) posting any score of note as the Heat comfortably booked a date in Saturday’s showdown, which will be defending champion Adelaide’s third straight final.

Saturday will mark Brisbane’s first appearance in the last game of the season since winning back-to-back titles in 2019, the second of which came against the Strikers.

Heat spinner Georgia Voll helped book the Heat’s ticket with career-best figures of 4-19 from her four overs in a stand-out display, while Jess Jonassen (2-25) and Nicola Hancock (1-17 off four overs) were also crucial.

The Strikers earned direct entry to the grand final — plus hosting rights at Adelaide Oval — after finishing three games clear on top of the ladder.

But the Heat loom as dangerous opponents after thumping both the Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers in consecutive cut-throat finals at the WACA.

The Scorchers were left to rue a season in which they lost their last four games to crash out of title contention.

“T20 cricket is brutal,” spinner Alana King said.

“It’s your best friend and then it can be your worst enemy as well.

“I’m sure all the reviews will happen in due course. But I think tonight we’ll just enjoy each other’s company.

“We were back in finals and that was a big tick for us.”

Harris got the party started with 10 fours and a six, needing just 26 balls to post her half-century.

And Voll made sure of the win with her haul including Chloe Piparo, Maddy Darke, the dangerous Sophie Devine and King.

“It’s pretty special. I haven’t taken a lot of wickets during the season,” Voll said.

“I’ve been more of that economical bowler, and I’ve enjoyed that role and it hasn’t really bothered me.

“But it’s nice to get rewarded. If you bowl in the right places long enough, you’re bound to get a bit of success at some point.”

AAP