Bizarre run out helps Adelaide Strikers end Heat's unbeaten WBBL start

A bizarre run out helped Adelaide Strikers hand Brisbane Heat their first defeat of the WBBL season, downing the visitors by 59 runs to go second on the ladder.

On the same night that the Melbourne Stars got their season back on track with a seven-run over Perth Scorchers, Strikers did well to defend their total of 148 for 4 at Karen Rolton Oval.

With Heat battling at 31 for 2 in reply, big hitter Mignon du Preez was run out for one at the non-striker's end when a Georgia Voll drive was hit straight back at her.

The ball rebounded off du Preez and onto the stumps, dislodging the bails, before bowler Amanda-Jade Wellington removed the stump from the ground and touched it with the ball with the South African still out of her crease.

Players are able to remove the stump if the bails are already off to effect a run out, however it was questionable if Wellington had done so correctly with the ball in the opposite hand to that which pulled out the stump.

The wicket proved a crucial moment in the game, as Wellington had Voll caught-and-bowled next ball for 15. The legspinner also claimed the key wicket of Jess Jonassen later in her spell, deceiving her in flight to have her stumped for 22.

You don't see this everyday!

Amanda-Jade Wellington with the cricket smarts to run out Mignon du Preez #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/xZHauAMffJ

— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) October 29, 2023

Heat were bowled out for 89 in 16 overs, ending their run of four straight wins to start the season.

Wellington's efforts with the ball came after Bridget Patterson hurt Heat with the bat for the second time in 12 months.

The hero of Strikers' finals win over Heat last summer, Patterson struck 70 off 53 to help rescue Strikers from 47 for 3 after 10 overs.

Patterson hit seven boundaries and two sixes, including a massive hit off Sarah Glenn back over the spinner's head.