THUNDER KEEPS COOL TO EDGE HEAT

CLUTCH bowling by Hannah Darlington and Sammy-Jo Johnson catapulted Sydney Thunder to a thrilling 12-run win over Brisbane Heat and straight into the W BBL 06 final.

Young gun Darlington dismissed both Charli Knott and Georgia Prestwidge in the 18th over and Johnson sealed the deal taking the wicket of DelissaKi mm ince in the final over.

It was an exciting contest at North Sydney Oval, and both teams had a lot toprove.

Reigning champions Brisbane Heat were determined to achieve a historic three-peat without last year’s stars BethMooney,Sammy-JoJohnsonand KirbyShort.

The young Thunder squad — featuring eight players under 20 — were determined to rise to the occasion.

In the end, Thunder stepped up to book their spot in the big dance against the Melbourne Stars on Saturday.

Brisbane got straight to work, dismissing Thunder’s opening batter Rachel Trenaman (6 of 6) with an early runout. But Tammy Beaumont wasn’t rattled.

The English international was threatening and w hacked six4s before Heat’s Ni cola Hancock sent her packing in the sixth over (27 off 20).

Wickets then started to roll. Jess Jonassen took a spectacular catch to dismiss Heather Knight (17 off 22) and took the big wicket of her former teammateSammy-JoJohnson.

Heat wicket keeper Georgia Redmayne was brutal behind the stumps, sending young guns Phoebe Litchfield (7 off 7) and Tahlia Wilson (7 off 8) back to the dugout. But there was no stopping Ra cha el Haynes. The skip per finished on 48 (off 44) not-out to steer hersidetoa143-runtotal.

Heat chased hard and middle order batter Laura Kimmence was lethal with the bat. But Thunder’s bowlers Darlington (3-19), Johnson (2-14) and SamBates(2-37)heldtheirnerve.