Sports

Knott’s 104 Guides Heat to First Win of Season

By Cricbuzz Staff

Charli Knott’s maiden T20 century helped Brisbane Heat secure their first win of the season, defeating Adelaide Strikers by 14 runs at Sydney. Knott scored 104 off 61 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes, as Heat posted 184 for 4. Laura Wolvaardt (75 off 48) and Madeline Penna (68 off 45) gave the Strikers a fighting chance but they finished with 170 for 5.

Heat began with a solid opening partnership of 57 runs between Knott and Grace Harris. Skipper Georgia Redmayne was dismissed for 7 off 11 balls, but Knott maintained the scoring rate. She shared a 64‑run third‑wicket stand with Yastika Bhatia, who batted at a strike rate under 100. Knott reached her century in 56 balls before being run out in the 18th over; Bhatia was run out in the next over. Orla Prendergast and Annie O’Neil contributed cameo runs to push Heat past 150.

In the Strikers’ innings, Wolvaardt faced most of the deliveries during her partnership with Maia Bouchier. The pair added 34 runs before Bouchier was dismissed for a four‑ball duck. Tahlia McGrath scored only 13 off 16, and Wolvaardt’s 30‑run second‑wicket stand with McGrath took 31 deliveries. After McGrath’s dismissal, Penna joined Wolvaardt and the duo added 77 runs quickly. Heat then took quick wickets, leaving the Strikers needing 37 runs off the last two overs. A tight penultimate over from Lucy Hamilton left the Strikers with 30 required in the final over. Penna hit a couple of fours and a six, but the target proved beyond reach.

Brief scores: Brisbane Heat 184/4 in 20 overs (Charli Knott 104 off 61, Orla Prendergast 16* off 6; Sophie Ecclestone 1‑18) beat Adelaide Strikers 170/5 in 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 75 off 48, Madeline Penna 68 off 45; Sarah Glenn 2‑19) by 14 runs.

In other matches, Perth Scorchers beat Sydney Thunder by 17 runs, with Beth Mooney unbeaten 80 and Alana King taking four wickets for 35. The Scorchers posted 183/3, while the Thunder were all out for 166.

Brief scores: Perth Scorchers 183/3 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 80*, Sophie Devine 42) beat Sydney Thunder 166 all out in 19 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 34, Laura Harris 29; Alana King 4/35, Chloe Ainsworth 2/24) by 17 runs.