The Brisbane Heat, inspired by another determined effort from South African allrounder Nadine de Klerk, have fallen agonisingly short of their first win of the Weber Women's Big Bash League with a final ball loss on Tuesday night against the Adelaide Strikers.
LAST BALL THRILLER | Heat Miss Out Against Strikers
After the Heat posted 5-169, their highest score of the competition. the Strikers nudgeda leg bye from the final ball of a clutch Nadine de Klerk over in a thriller at Adelaide's Karen Rolton Oval, with the Heat appealing for an LBW decision that would have registered their first win of the tournament.
The Strikers required 31 from the last three overs, an equation reduced to seven from de Klerk's final over.
With scores tied on the last ball, Patterson tried a leg-side flick, the ball hitting her pads and running to a vacant fine leg.
Earlier, the Heat's innings was powered by Lauren Winfield-Hill (47 from 36 balls), Georgia Redmayne (36no from 20) and Jess Jonassen (37 from 35).
Winfield-Hill lost her opening partner Charlie Knott (11 from 14 balls) in the sixth over but attacked Adelaide's bowlers.
She struck a six, and six fours, and was on the cusp of a half-century when she missed a reverse swat and was out lbw to the spin of Jemma Barsby (1-13).
Winfield-Hill's exit left the Heat 2-87 after 11 overs and Jonassen continued the momentum until a late flourish.
Redmayne and de Klerk (25 from nine balls) produced cameos against a Strikers attack led by legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington (2-31) and Sophie Ecclestone (2-36).
In the Strikers innings, Lucy Hamilton again produced the goods, claiming 2-32 from her four overs including a sharp caught and bowled to remove Tahlia McGrath.
The Heat will remain in Adelaide to prepare for Friday's clash against the Sydney Sixers at the Adelaide Oval.