Heat thrash Hurricanes by 10 wickets as WBBL champions lose sixth in a row

Brisbane Heat beat Hobart Hurricanes by 10 wickets in Hobart on Saturday, dismissing the reigning Weber Women’s Big Bash League champions for 86 and then chasing the target in 5.4 overs, with 86 balls to spare. The result, in Match 21 of the WBBL, left the Hurricanes without a win after six games, according to BBC Sport.

The Heat finished on 88 without losing a wicket at Bellerive Oval, ABC News reports.

Hurricanes collapse early

Hobart were in trouble almost from the start. Lily Bassingthwaighte removed Lizelle Lee and captain Nicola Carey, and with Rachel Trenaman also gone to Lucy Hamilton, the Hurricanes were 11 for 3 in the fourth over, Cricbuzz reports.

The slide continued. ABC News, citing AAP, says the side were 6 for 42 at one stage. Heather Graham and Maddy Green put on 22 for the fourth wicket before Green was bowled by Sianna Ginger, and Graham followed soon after.

Lauren Smith top-scored with 20 before Knott bowled her, and the innings ended in the 18th over. Bassingthwaighte finished with 3 for 25, Ginger took 2 for 8, Hamilton 2 for 15 and Sarah Glenn 2 for 16, according to the BBC scorecard.

Harris and Knott take control

The chase was over almost as soon as it began. Harris and Knott each hit two fours in the first over, bowled by Linsey Smith, Cricbuzz reports. Harris then took two sixes and a four off Carey in the second.

Harris reached her fifty from 21 balls and finished on 52 not out from 22. Knott made 34 not out from 12. Between them they hit 12 fours and four sixes, while the Hurricanes managed only six boundaries in their whole innings, AAP says.

ABC News reports that the Heat’s powerplay was a new competition record.

A turnaround for Brisbane

The win was the Heat’s fourth in six matches. They lost their first two games and have won four in a row since, Cricbuzz notes.

AAP reports that the Heat had gone 706 days without a win before this run. They have won four times in the past 10 days and hold third place on the ladder.

Champions still searching

For Hobart, it was a sixth defeat in as many matches, leaving the reigning champions with a 0-6 record, according to ABC News.