Sydney Thunder Beat Brisbane Heat by 6 Wickets — Heather Knight Runs Down a Record 179 With 20 Balls Left

Brisbane Heat came to Sydney looking for their first win in 12 games and 702 days, a run stretching back to November 29, 2024. Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne added 99 for the second wicket, and 178 for 5 beat the previous best WBBL score at this ground, 171. On most days at Drummoyne, that wins you the match.

Thunder lost Georgia Voll for 2, and it made no difference. Phoebe Litchfield hit 41 off 19, and Heather Knight then paced the chase the way only someone with her experience can, adding 63 with Anika Learoyd and 59 with Laura Harris. Her 54 not out came off 29 balls, and it never felt hurried. Laura Harris fell with three needed, caught by her sister Grace, a small family moment in a one-sided finish.

Knight called it a belter of a pitch, and she was right. It is Thunder's largest successful chase, and they did it with more than three overs to spare.

Grace Harris was candid afterwards, saying her side hit ones where Thunder hit boundaries. The numbers back her up, with Thunder striking six more fours. Heat were 118 for 1 in the 14th over and managed only 60 from the rest of the innings, and then the attack could not hold its lengths under pressure. They have the batting to end this drought, but not without more from the ball.

We gave Thunder a slight edge on home advantage, and that was right. We also said Drummoyne would reward aggressive batting, which turned out to be an understatement, as this game alone produced 358 runs.

Thunder are 2-0, level on points with the Sixers at the top of the table. Heat are 0-2 and still waiting.