McGrath Stars as Strikers Defeat Heat, Leaving Brisbane on Brink of Winless WBBL Season

Brisbane Heat are in danger of becoming the first team in WBBL history to finish a season without a single win, after succumbing to a six-wicket loss against the Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

Defending 149 for 9, the Heat appeared to have given themselves a fighting chance, but the Strikers executed their chase calmly, reaching the target with two balls remaining to keep their finals hopes alive.

Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tammy Beaumont laid the foundation with a 90-run partnership. Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a measured 49 off 45 balls in her final game before joining national duties. Beaumont was the aggressor, smashing 64 off 40 deliveries, which included powerful blows over midwicket, long-on, and a charge down the pitch to loft Charlie Knott over long-off.

The Strikers stuttered briefly near the end when the equation tightened to 14 required from Knott’s final over, but Ellie Johnston and Tahlia McGrath held their nerve, sealing the win and lifting the Strikers to fourth place on the table. They could, however, be overtaken by the Sydney Sixers later in the day.

Meanwhile, Heat’s season continued its downward spiral. Runners-up in the past two editions, they have collected just one point this campaign—from a washed-out match against the Sixers on Friday. To compound matters, pacer Nicola Hancock suffered a hamstring injury after being stumped off the final ball of the innings. The team is already missing captain Jess Jonassen (shoulder) and first-round draft pick Jemimah Rodrigues, both ruled out for the remainder of the season.

With the bat, Heat struggled to build momentum, relying heavily on late flurries from Nadine de Klerk (25 off 13) and Hancock (22 off 8). For the Strikers, Tahlia McGrath led the bowling effort with 3 for 27, supported by Elanor Larosa and Amanda-Jade Wellington, who took two wickets apiece.

With their latest defeat, Brisbane Heat are now staring at an unwanted chapter in WBBL history, while the Strikers remain firmly in the hunt for a finals berth.