Matthews stars as Renegades pip Heat to end losing streak
Matthews bowled the final over with Heat needing just six to win and conceded only three runs, to break an eight-game losing streak for Renegades
AAP
18-Nov-2023
Hayley Matthews and Georgia Wareham celebrate • Getty Images
Melbourne Renegades 169 for 7 (Matthews 46, Hancock 4-20) beat Brisbane Heat 167 for 9 (Harris 65, Coyte 3-26) by two runs
Melbourne Renegades have broken an eight-game losing streak in a thrilling two-run upset win over Brisbane Heat, with skipper Hayley Matthews proving the hero in the final over.
The Heat needed six runs to win at the start of the 20th over bowled by Matthews, but the West Indies star conceded just three runs to keep Nicola Hancock and Courtney Sippel quiet at Brisbane's Allan Border Field.
Earlier, Matthews was due a match-winning score and she delivered with her best and most influential innings of the WBBL season, scoring 46 off 28 balls to help Renegades post 169 for 7.
Heat opener Grace Harris kept her side in the hunt in the chase with a powerful 65 from just 36 balls before a late flurry by Jess Jonassen and Hancock put them on the brink of victory at the end of the 19th over.
Matthews took the early wicket of Georgia Redmayne and two slick catches before her heroics in the final over to restrict the Heat to 167 for 9.
With the bat, Matthews played strokes all around the ground. She was looking ominous in the closing overs until she was bowled by seamer Hancock, who finished with her career-best figures of 4 for 20.
Opener Emma de Broughe made a classy 42 at the top of the order and supported Matthews well.
The Renegades were 134 for 2 in the 16th over before Hancock and part-timer Harris pegged them back. Harris picked up 2 for 16 with her offspin.
The loss could be costly for the Heat who stay in third position on the WBBL table on 14 points, two behind leaders Perth Scorchers.