WBBL: Jemimah shines in Brisbane Heat’s close victory; Mandhana fails

It was a contrasting day for the two Indian batting stars in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Jemimah Rodrigues, playing for the Brisbane Heat, scored a brilliant 61 off just 40 deliveries against the Adelaide Strikers with the help of seven fours and a big six down the ground. She was the highest scorer for her side, as the Heat scored 175/6 in their 20 overs.

While chasing, Smriti Mandhana, who was opening the batting on debut for the Strikers after being picked in the pre-season overseas draft, failed to impress as she could score just six runs in six deliveries. She started well by hitting her Indian teammate Shikha Pandey for a four over mid-on. 

However, she was caught and bowled on the very next delivery as she failed to read the change in pace from Pandey, who pitched the ball in the same area as the earlier delivery. Mandhana played a similar shot but failed to get the elevation she sought and hit the ball straight back to the bowler. 

The Strikers eventually fell short by eight runs, and Jemimah was named the Player of the Match for her match-winning knock. 

Jemimah was the key batter throughout the Heat innings, as she stitched a crucial 54-run partnership with skipper Jess Jonassen (32 off 21) and only got out on the third delivery of the last over. The Mumbai batter displayed a wide repertoire of shots, playing sweeps, reverse sweeps, and scoops with ease while adeptly using her footwork to utilise the depth of the crease. She held the innings together for the Heat as they notched up a total that was eventually out of the Striker’s grasp. 

This was only her third WBBL half-century and the first after the seventh edition of the WBBL three years ago. Rodrigues now has 124 runs in her four innings in the WBBL so far. The only Indian doing better than her in the tournament is Yastika Bhatia, who has scored 135 runs in four innings for the Melbourne Stars. 

Meanwhile, the Heat are currently in third place after three wins in six games. The Strikers are loitering at the bottom of the table with just a solitary win in five games despite having the likes of Mandhana, Laura Wolvaardt, and Tahlia McGrath in their batting lineup. 

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