Brisbane Heat end 706-day WBBL drought as Charli Knott's 104 seals win
Synopsis
Brisbane Heat had not won a WBBL match in 706 days — and it took a century for the ages to end that misery. Charli Knott's 104 off 61 balls was the defining knock, turning a potential banana-peel fixture against Adelaide Strikers into a 14-run statement win that could reignite the former two-time champions' title ambitions.
Key Takeaways
Brisbane Heat defeated Adelaide Strikers by 14 runs at Drummoyne Oval on 5 November .
The win ended a 706-day WBBL winless streak dating back to 29 November 2024 .
Charli Knott scored 104 off 61 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes , powering Heat to 184/4 .
Laura Wolvaardt (75) and Madeline Penna (68) put up a 77-run stand for Strikers but it was not enough.
Sarah Glenn dismissed Wolvaardt in the 17th over to seal the game for Heat.
Brisbane Heat ended a 706-day winless run in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) on Thursday, 5 November, as opener Charli Knott blazed an extraordinary 104 off 61 balls to power her side to a 14-run victory over Adelaide Strikers at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney. The win is the former two-time champions' first in the competition since 29 November 2024.
Knott's Hundred Sets the Platform
Charli Knott produced the innings of her career, striking 12 fours and four sixes in a blistering knock that anchored Heat's total of 184/4. Grace Harris contributed 22 off 18 balls at the top of the order, while late cameos from Annie O'Neil (unbeaten 13 off 7) and Orla Prendergast (16 off 6) helped Heat finish strongly. For Strikers, Sophie Ecclestone was the stand-out with the ball, returning an economical 1 for 18 in her four overs, while Eleanor Larosa (1 for 48 in four overs) and Tahlia McGrath (0 for 28 in two overs) bore the brunt of a punishing batting display.
Strikers Push Hard but Fall Short
Adelaide's reply was far from straightforward for Heat. Opener Laura Wolvaardt made a defiant 75 and Madeline Penna contributed a gritty 68, the pair sharing a 77-run third-wicket stand off just 47 balls to keep Strikers firmly in contention. Penna was particularly savage on Sianna Ginger in the 14th over, plundering 27 runs off it, bringing the equation down to a chaseable 56 runs off the final six overs.
Glenn and Knott Close Out the Chase
Heat's death-bowling combination of Sarah Glenn and Charli Knott proved decisive. Glenn removed Wolvaardt in the 17th over, with Knott completing a brilliant catch to end the dangerous partnership. Despite Penna completing her fifty and smashing 15 runs off the final over, the Strikers ultimately fell 14 runs short, finishing their innings with the target out of reach.
Significance of the Win
The victory carries considerable weight beyond mere points. Heat had gone through the entirety of WBBL 10 — their previous campaign — without a single win, and had also dropped their first two matches of the current edition before this breakthrough result. Notably, their last WBBL victory had come on 29 November 2024, when they reached the WBBL 10 final, making this win a significant psychological milestone for a squad seeking to reclaim their status as genuine title contenders. This is only their third win in the ongoing season after a prolonged drought, and all eyes will be on whether the Heat can build momentum from here.
Point of View
But the more telling stat is that Heat entered this match having also lost their opening two fixtures of the current season — meaning this was less a fresh start and more a last stand against a demoralising streak. Adelaide Strikers, for their part, will rue a death-bowling collapse after Wolvaardt and Penna had made the chase entirely feasible at the halfway point. For Heat, the real question is whether this win signals a tactical and selection reset, or whether it was simply one player carrying an otherwise fragile side.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long had Brisbane Heat gone without a WBBL win before this match?
Brisbane Heat had gone 706 days without a WBBL win before defeating Adelaide Strikers on 5 November. Their previous win came on 29 November 2024, when they reached the WBBL 10 final.
What did Charli Knott score against Adelaide Strikers?
Charli Knott scored 104 off 61 balls , hitting 12 fours and four sixes. It was the centrepiece of Brisbane Heat's total of 184/4 and her maiden WBBL hundred.
How did Adelaide Strikers perform in reply?
Adelaide Strikers came close, with Laura Wolvaardt (75) and Madeline Penna (68) sharing a 77-run third-wicket partnership off 47 balls. Despite Penna's late assault, Strikers fell 14 runs short of the target.
Who were the other key contributors for Brisbane Heat?
Grace Harris made 22 off 18 balls, while Annie O'Neil (unbeaten 13 off 7) and Orla Prendergast (16 off 6) helped Heat finish strongly. Sarah Glenn also played a key role with the ball, dismissing Wolvaardt in the 17th over.
Where was the WBBL match between Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers played?
The match was played at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney on Thursday, 5 November.
