Sydney Thunder Triumph Over Brisbane Heat

Heather Knight delivered an outstanding unbeaten 59 off 34 balls, leading Sydney Thunder to a 19-run victory against Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League. This impressive half-century was her second in just three matches for Thunder since her return from a calf injury sustained during England’s T20 World Cup game against West Indies in October.

At 33, Knight smashed 10 fours in her explosive innings, amassing 135 runs across three innings with a remarkable strike rate of 175.32. She received valuable support from Phoebe Litchfield, who added 40 off 25 balls, and Chamari Athapaththu’s quick 33, helping Thunder set a strong total of 170-5 in Perth.

Thunder’s bowlers then made an immediate impact, dismissing Georgia Redmayne (nine) and Jemimah Rodrigues (five) early in the powerplay and limiting Heat to 98-5. Despite a fighting 55 off 37 balls from Charli Knott, Brisbane Heat fell short as Thunder bowled them out for 151 in the final over, marking Thunder's third win in four games.

Knight expressed her satisfaction to ABC Grandstand, mentioning that while the beginning was tough, once she settled in, she aimed to capitalise on her form. She commended the team’s balanced efforts, noting that "different players are stepping up at different times."

Sydney Thunder’s next matchup is the eagerly awaited Sydney derby against the Sixers on Sunday (02:40 GMT), while Brisbane Heat will take on the Adelaide Strikers on Saturday (08:15 GMT).