Bonnie Berry and Mikayla Wrigley (above) have delivered match-winning efforts to get the Brisbane Heat's T20 Spring Challenge campaign off to a victorious start today in Sydney, although not without a few anxious moments.
Heat Win Spring Challenge Opener
The Heat opted to bowl first at Cricket Central after winning the toss, with young guns Ayaka Stafford and Clodagh Ryall included in the starting XI for the opening game of the tournament.
On a slowish pitch, the Heat were able to restrict the Melbourne Renegades to 85, bowling them out for 85 in 14.5 overs with Berry leading the charge with the ball.
The right-arm quick finished with 4-19 from 2.5 overs, completing a impressive effort in the field by Brisbane.
Berry, who missed all of the WBBL last season with a back injury, extracted sharp bounce and movement with three of her dismissals falling to catches in front of the wicket including a neat caught and bowled as the Renegades lost wickets in clumps towards the end of their innings.
Batting was a challenge for both teams, but Wrigley continued wth the confident shot-making that has been the hallmark of her game this season.
She top-scored with 30 from 32 balls, hitting the only six in the Heat's innings as they finished with 7-88 from 19.1 overs.
The T20 Spring Challenge is a pre-WBBL warm-up tournament that features the eight Big Bash clubs as well as the ACT Meteors and is being played across Sydney.
The Heat's next game will be on Thursday when they take on Perth Scorchers at Blacktown International Sportsground.
Each WBBL club have been required to keep one spot available on their list for an Australian domestic player who plays in the T20 Spring Challenge competition.
The Heat squad has five uncontracted players vying for the final Weber WBBL|11 contract.
All matches in the T20 Spring Challenge will be live streamed on Kayo Sports, cricket.com.au, and the CA Live app, ensuring fans can follow every moment of the action.
T20 SPRING CHALLENGE - WBBL Heat
Oct 21: Brisbane Heat vs. Melbourne Renegades | Cricket Central - W by 3 wickets
Oct 23: Perth Scorchers vs. Brisbane Heat | Blacktown International Sports Park 2
Oct 25: Brisbane Heat vs. Melbourne Stars | North Sydney Oval
Oct 26: Hobart Hurricanes vs. Brisbane Heat | North Sydney Oval
Semi-Finals
Oct 29: First (TBC) vs. Fourth (TBC) | Cricket Central
Oct 29: Second (TBC) vs. Third (TBC) | Cricket Central
Final
Oct 30: TBC vs. TBC | Cricket Central
2025-26 T20 Spring Challenge Squad
WBBL Brisbane Heat
2. Charli Knott (UQ (c)
3. Lily Bassingthwaighte (Wests)
11. Bonnie Berry (Valley)
7. Lucy Bourke (Valley)
1.Sianna Ginger (Valley)
12. Lucy Hamilton (Sunshine Coast)
21. Nicola Hancock (UQ)
15. Annie O’Neil (Wests)
8. Georgia Redmayne (Wests)
10. Clodagh Ryall (Wynnum-Manly)
23. Aya Stafford (Wests)
5. Filippa SueSee (Wests)
4. Mikayla Wrigley (Sunshine Coast)
Coaches: Mark Sorell, Jeff Thomas, Leteysha Randall. Physio: Jolandi Jacobs.