Set an imposing asking rate of more than eight runs an over, Brisbane showed exactly why it finished atop the WBBL|05 ladder.
Their opening batters crunched nine runs off each of the first three overs, as Maddy Green (46 runs off 29 balls) and Beth Mooney (15 runs off 18 balls) swung the momentum of the match in the home side’s favour.
It took until the eighth over for the Renegades to separate them, as the magnificent Molly Strano (4-28 from four overs) removed both in the space of two balls to give the ‘Gades the slightest of openings.
But middle order carnage was to follow, as Jess Jonassen (38 runs off 23 balls) and Grace Harris (43 runs off 27 balls) added five fours and six sixes between them to carry the Heat to the brink of victory.
While Strano, Carly Leeson (1-31) and part-timer Erica Kershaw (1-10) all struck late, the Heat had the game well in control and locked things up with 12 balls to spare.
Halfway mark.
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) December 7, 2019
The Heat: 2-86.
They need: 78 off 60.
We need: Wickets + dots.
OK? OK #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/TB1juf6pE6
The JD Show
Without the services of internationals Danni Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont, the Renegades needed an even contribution at the top of the batting order.
They got it alright, thanks largely to the composure of Josie Dooley (50 runs not out off 42 balls) and Jess Duffin (44 runs off 35 balls).
Anna Lanning (16 runs off 18 balls) and Chamari Athapaththu (21 runs off 19 balls) each made bright starts before Dooley and Duffin added 80 runs in 58 balls.
Georgia Wareham (22 runs off eight balls) came in late and swung hard and long, registering three fours and a six to help the Renegades to a very healthy 4-163 at the close.
It was fitting that Duffin and Dooley made strong contributions when it counted, for both were such important figures all season with the bat and in the field, as captain and wicket keeper respectively.
JOSIE DOOLEY!
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) December 7, 2019
Her FIRST @WBBL 50.
Against her old team.
In a Semi-Final.
At No. 3.
TAKE. A. BOW. #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/IBEBFqrMve
Unforgotten friends
Although Wyatt and Beaumont were unavailable for selection, they didn’t miss a beat, watching on from their hotel room in Kuala Lumpur.
Love this, @Danni_Wyatt. No matter where you are in the world, you're always one of us ❤️🖤 #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/OZhMnfKgJt
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) December 7, 2019
Got a curious fact for us?
Two players – Anna Lanning and Chamari Athapaththu – who weren’t even on the Renegades’ list at the start of the season opened the batting against the Heat.
Such is the nature of Twenty20 cricket leagues where change is sometimes the only constant.
S-I-X! We all know how good Chamari Athapaththu can be + that flick off the pads, well 😍 #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/X7WT2EIyT0
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) December 7, 2019
What comes next?
The sun has set on the Renegades’ fifth WBBL campaign. While it ended without a finals win, many great strides were taken by so many players, new and experienced.
Duffin (544 runs) was superb as captain. Josie Dooley was never flustered by the occasion and batted and kept brilliantly. Internationals Lea Tahuhu, Danni Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont were all instrumental in the side’s finals bid. And a host of young ‘Gades including Maitlan Brown, Courtney Webb and countless others all played vital roles and have bright futures ahead of them.
For the Heat, meanwhile, it’s a bid for back-to-back WBBL titles against the Adelaide Strikers at Allan Border Field on Sunday. The match will be broadcast on 7mate.
The sun sets on our #WBBL05. We might've fallen short today, but we've taken some huge steps this season. We're proud of our players #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/245ZIuFW6s
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) December 7, 2019