Charli Knott struck a magnificent 104 from 61 balls as Brisbane Heat Women defeated Adelaide Strikers Women by 14 runs in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026–27 at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney, on November 5. The all-rounder’s century helped Brisbane post 184/4 before their bowlers restricted Adelaide to 170/5.
In the day’s second match at the same venue, Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 80 guided Perth Scorchers Women to 183/3 against Sydney Thunder Women. Alana King then claimed four wickets as the Scorchers dismissed Thunder for 166, completing a 17-run victory and continuing their impressive start to the tournament.
Brisbane Heat Beat Adelaide Strikers by 14 Runs
Charli Knott’s Brilliant Century Powers Heat to 184/4
Adelaide Strikers elected to field first, but Brisbane Heat built a competitive total around an outstanding innings from Charli Knott.
Knott and Grace Harris provided a solid opening partnership of 57 runs before Eleanor Larosa dismissed Harris for 22 from 18 deliveries.
Georgia Redmayne contributed seven, while Yastika Bhatia added 16 as Knott continued to dominate the Strikers’ bowling.
The 23-year-old reached her half-century from 37 deliveries before accelerating impressively, bringing up her hundred from just 56 balls.
Knott eventually scored 104 from 61 balls, striking 12 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 170.49. Her innings ended through a run-out in the 18th over.
Annie O’Neil (13 not out) and Orla Prendergast (16 not out from six balls) provided valuable late runs, lifting Brisbane to 184/4 from 20 overs.
Sophie Ecclestone was Adelaide’s most economical bowler, returning 1/18 from four overs, while Larosa claimed 1/48.
Wolvaardt and Penna Keep Strikers in Contention
Adelaide’s chase began with an early setback when Maia Bouchier departed for a duck.
Laura Wolvaardt responded with an aggressive innings, reaching her half-century from 31 deliveries and keeping the required run rate within reach.
Captain Tahlia McGrath contributed 13 before Sarah Glenn dismissed her, leaving Adelaide at 64/2 in the ninth over.
Wolvaardt then combined with Madeline Penna for a crucial 77-run third-wicket partnership.
Penna attacked Brisbane’s bowlers, striking seven fours and four sixes during her 68 from 45 balls, while Wolvaardt made 75 from 48 deliveries, including nine boundaries.
However, Glenn delivered the decisive breakthrough by dismissing Wolvaardt in the 17th over, with Adelaide still requiring 44 runs from 23 balls.
Grace Harris removed Bridget Patterson for four and dismissed Penna from the final delivery as the Strikers finished on 170/5, falling 14 runs short.
Glenn returned excellent figures of 2/19 from four overs, while Harris claimed 2/19 from two overs.
Knott was named Player of the Match for her match-winning century.
Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers – Match Summary
Brisbane Heat Women – 184/4 in 20 Overs (Charli Knott 104 (61), Grace Harris 22 (18), Orla Prendergast 16* (6); Sophie Ecclestone 1/18, Eleanor Larosa 1/48)
Adelaide Strikers Women – 170/5 in 20 Overs (Laura Wolvaardt 75 (48), Madeline Penna 68 (45); Sarah Glenn 2/19, Grace Harris 2/19)
Result: Brisbane Heat Women won by 14 runs.
Player of the Match: Charli Knott (Brisbane Heat) – 104 (61)
Perth Scorchers Beat Sydney Thunder by 17 Runs
Beth Mooney’s Unbeaten 80 Anchors Scorchers’ Innings
Sydney Thunder elected to field first, but Perth Scorchers captain Beth Mooney delivered another outstanding batting performance.
Mooney shared a 51-run opening partnership with Katie Mack, who scored 10 before being stumped off Jemma Barsby.
Sophie Devine then joined Mooney, and the pair added 85 runs for the second wicket.
Mooney reached her half-century from 36 balls and maintained a steady scoring rate throughout the innings.
Devine contributed 42 from 39 deliveries before retiring out at the end of the 17th over, allowing Perth to introduce a more aggressive batter for the closing overs.
Freya Kemp made an immediate impact, smashing 30 from just 10 balls, including two fours and three sixes.
Mooney remained unbeaten on 80 from 55 deliveries, striking eight boundaries and a six, as Perth finished on 183/3 from 20 overs.
Barsby returned 1/18 from three overs, while Hannah Darlington claimed 1/34. Samantha Bates also impressed with an economical 0/25 from four overs.
Thunder Fight Back After Early Wickets
Sydney Thunder suffered a disastrous start to their chase when Georgia Voll was bowled by Chloe Ainsworth from the first delivery.
Phoebe Litchfield counterattacked with 34 from 19 balls, including five boundaries and a six, while Anika Learoyd added 22 from 16 deliveries.
However, Sophie Devine dismissed Learoyd before Ainsworth removed Litchfield, leaving Thunder at 86/3 in the ninth over.
Fatima Sana then trapped Nadine de Klerk lbw for two, and Devine dismissed Heather Knight for 27.
At 101/5 after 12.4 overs, Thunder faced a difficult task, but Tahlia Wilson and Laura Harris kept the contest alive.
Harris produced an explosive 29 from 12 balls, striking three fours and two sixes, while Wilson contributed 25 from 19 deliveries.
Their attacking partnership took Thunder to 144/5 in the 16th over.
Alana King’s Four-Wicket Haul Seals Victory
With Thunder threatening a late comeback, Alana King delivered the decisive spell.
The leg-spinner bowled Harris for 29 before removing Hannah Darlington, Jemma Barsby and Samantha Bates to dismantle the lower order.
Thunder lost their final five wickets for just 22 runs, collapsing from 144/5 to 166 all out in 19 overs.
King finished with 4/35 from four overs, while Ainsworth claimed 2/24 and Devine returned 2/31.
Fatima Sana also contributed with 1/15 from two overs.
Perth completed a 17-run victory, with Mooney receiving the Player of the Match award for her unbeaten 80.
The result extended Perth Scorchers’ winning start following earlier victories over Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars.
Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder – Match Summary
Perth Scorchers Women – 183/3 in 20 Overs (Beth Mooney 80* (55), Sophie Devine 42 (39), Freya Kemp 30 (10); Jemma Barsby 1/18, Hannah Darlington 1/34)
Sydney Thunder Women – 166 all out in 19 Overs (Phoebe Litchfield 34 (19), Laura Harris 29 (12), Heather Knight 27 (26); Alana King 4/35, Chloe Ainsworth 2/24, Sophie Devine 2/31)
Result: Perth Scorchers Women won by 17 runs.
Player of the Match: Beth Mooney (Perth Scorchers) – 80* (55)
