BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – West Indies captain Hayley Matthews produced a Player-of-the-Match effort as her beleaguered Melbourne Renegades halted a worrying eight-game losing streak with a narrow two-run victory over Brisbane Heat.
The 25-year-old, whose form has mirrored that of her side, top-scored with a season-best 46 to help propel Renegades to a competitive 169 for seven off their 20 overs at Allan Border field here Friday.
She then grabbed a wicket with her off-spin, snared two catches, and sent down a brilliant final over as Heat just came up short at 167 for nine off their 20 overs, despite a stunning 65 off 36 deliveries from opener Grace Harris.
The win was only the Renegades’ second of the season and comes on the back of a run of wretched form that has left them rock bottom of the Women’s Big Bash League on four points.
Their last win came on October 23 when they crushed Adelaide Strikers by 86 runs before enduring a demoralizing losing run that torpedoed their title chances.
Sent in, Renegades lost England opener Tammy Beaumont for a 17-ball 20, but fellow opener Emma de Broughe struck 42 from 35 balls with three fours and a six in a 42-run second wicket stand with India batting star Harmanpreet Kaur (22), to keep the innings ticking.
When Harmanpreet perished at the start of the tenth over, Matthews arrived to energize Renegades further, striking seven fours and a six in a 28-ball cameo as she inspired a 66-run, third-wicket partnership with de Broughe.
Nicola Hancock, a 28-year-old seamer, led the Heat’s attack with four for 20 from her four overs.
Matthews gave Renegades the upper hand in the run chase when she removed opener Georgia Redmayne for two in the second over with only 13 runs on the board.
Harris, who belted eight fours and two sixes, put on 35 for the second wicket with Bess Heath (13), but wickets tumbled regularly after that to leave Renegades in control of the contest.
With six required from the final over, the game remained limbo, but Matthews held her nerve and conceded only three runs to take her side over the line.
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