Heat hold hope after vital win

Brisbane Heat is banging on the door to play finals after defeating Sydney Thunder in their Rebel WBBL match at the Gabba.

With currently fourth-placed side Perth Scorchers losing today, the Heat drew level on points with one of their rivals for a spot in the finals, and are behind on net run rate alone.

Chasing 146 for victory against the ladder leaders, the Heat on Saturday timed their chase well, reeling the target in with two overs remaining to snap a three-match losing streak.

Player-of-the-match Grace Harris (57) and Delissa Kimmince (45) combined for an 83-run third-wicket partnership in nine overs, batting at a perfect tempo after Beth Mooney (27 off 16 balls) had helped Brisbane to get off to a flier.

Sam Bates (2-23) was the best of the bowlers for the Thunder who struggled largely to contain the Brisbane pair who made the visitors' 5-145 look decidedly under-par.

The Thunder lost wicketkeeper Rachel Priest early but recovered through Rachael Haynes (43) and Alex Blackwell (41).

Haynes looked particularly good and hit two sixes in her aggressive knock, but the Ashes-winning Australian skipper's soft dismissal in the eighth over cost the Thunder valuable momentum.

To play finals, the fifth-placed Heat must win Sunday's rematch with the Thunder at Allan Border Field.

Heat XI: Short (C), Mooney, Harris, Dottin, Jonassen, Johnson, Kimmince, Harris, Birkett, Barsby, Ferling. Prestwidge named 12th player.

Thunder XI: Haynes, Priest, Blackwell (C), Stalenberg, Taylor, Carey, Wilson, Farrell, Gibson, Bates, Vakarewa. Griffith named 12th player.