BRISBANE TURNS UP HEAT ON STRIKERS

A MASTERFUL captain’s call from Brisbane Heat skipper Jess Jonassen has thwarted Darcie Brown and the Adelaide Strikers in the first completed WBBL match of a rainravaged weekend.

When 18-year-old Brown claimed just the sixth hat-trick in WBBL history in the first innings, the Strikers would have smelt victory.

But as the sun came out in Launceston, so, too, did the Heat, who, led by Jonassen, combined to end the Strikers’ unbeaten start to the WBBL in the shortened 11-over fixture.

All four of Saturday’s games were lost to wet weather and it was the Strikers’ parade that was most thoroughly rained on – the Adelaide team was in control of its match with the Hobart Hurricanes before it was called off.

The cancellation clearly didn’t dampen the spirits of Brown, who on Sunday claimed the first WBBL hattrick since 2019.

It continued her brilliant start to the summer, which began with a call-up to the international side for the recent series against India.

Brown said she was unaware she was the first Striker to take a hat-trick. “I’ve never taken a hat-trick before but unfortunately we didn’t get the win, which would’ve probably capped it off. It was still pretty cool.”

Georgia Voll was twice dropped on her way to an unbeaten 31 from 17 runs and her spell at the crease was crucial as the Heat posted 104.

“I was just told to go out and back myself and I think I did that today,” Voll said. “I usually like to take a few balls to get in and get going but with the shortened game, with only a few overs left, I didn’t have that time. To get out there and have a good hitout was really good.”

It turned out that the only thing that could foil Brown’s youthful exuberance was the steady hand of Jess Jonassen.

Jonassen broke what was looking an ominous opening partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Dane Van Niekerk by sending the latter on her way. On the next ball, Jonassen caught-and-bowled Tahlia McGrath.

The second wicket ended her over but in a move as wise as it was selfless, Jonassen gave up her hat-trick chance.

With the delayed fixture shortened, only one player per side was allowed three overs. Jonassen sacrificed her shot at history and allowed Georgia Prestwidge to be that bowler.

It proved a masterstroke – in her third over, Prestwidge dismissed Wolvaardt on 54 and also sent Madeline Penna packing to all but end the Strikers’ hopes of victory.