Brisbane Heat’s Grace Parsons emerged as a star in her second WBBL match, leading her team to a historic 28-run victory over Melbourne Renegades. The 21-year-old legspinner claimed 3 for 22 in four overs, turning the tide after Renegades had started strongly in pursuit of Heat’s 169 for 8.
Parsons’ heroics marked the first time in WBBL history that Heat had begun a season with consecutive wins. Renegades had made a blistering start thanks to Hayley Matthews’ 35 off 28, but Parsons’ double-wicket maiden in her opening over halted their momentum.
The turning point came when Deandra Dottin was controversially given out lbw after the ball deflected off her glove onto her pad. Despite Dottin’s call for a review, the absence of DRS in this match proved costly for Renegades.
Courtney Webb’s run-out and Sophie Molineux’s dismissal in the 10th over further compounded Renegades’ woes, leaving them reeling at 71 for 5. Shikha Pandey’s excellent bowling continued to restrict Renegades, despite Naomi Stalenberg’s quickfire 38.
Parsons’ performance was particularly impressive given her shoulder injury last year, which sidelined her for the entire WBBL season despite being Queensland’s leading wicket-taker in the WNCL. Her talent has earned her a spot in Australia A against India, signaling a promising future.
Parsons credits her development to former Heat legspinner Amelia Kerr and spin bowling coach Cameron Boyce. “Learning off Amelia the last three years has been really special,” she said. “Our spin bowling coach at the Heat is amazing, and it’s been cool to pick his brain.”
Earlier, Georgia Redmayne and Lauren Winfield-Hill had set the innings up with a 66-run partnership. Redmayne’s stylish square drives and Winfield-Hill’s strike rotation kept the scoreboard ticking. Charli Knott and Dottin’s dismissals threatened to derail Heat, but Laura Harris’ quickfire 31 during the power surge boosted the total.
Jess Jonassen’s unbeaten 25 helped Heat reach a competitive 169 for 8, which proved too much for Renegades despite Parsons’ heroics.
