BRISBANE Heat are the third team through to the WBBL10 finals after a nine-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars last night.

The rain tried its hardest to thwart proceedings up in the Sunshine State, but ultimately the match was reduced to seven overs per side. Once proceedings did get underway, the Stars limped to 6/46 off their 20 overs, before the Heat reached their target with 10 balls left in their innings.

Melbourne actually got its innings off to a really good start, making 21 off just over two overs before finally losing its first wicket. However, when it did lose that first wicket, the innings then started to fall apart. It then lost 3/3 off the next 10 balls to really go off the rails, and although there was a temporary revival it was rather short lived.

Only two Stars batters made double figures. Rhys McKenna made 15 while Tess Flintoff finished on 14 not out. Meanwhile for the Heat, Jess Jonassen picked up three wickets, while Lucy Hamilton picked up two wickets in one over to really get the downfall started.

In reply, the Heat’s openers went at a nice and quick pace, with the Harris sisters Laura and Grace going at about two runs a ball before the former was dismissed. The scoring slowed dramatically after that, but not so much that there was any danger of the Heat not making their target.

Grace Harris went on to make 21 not out, Laura Harris made 11 and Jemimah Rodrigues ended things on seven not out. Meanwhile for the Stars, Annabel Sutherland was the only one to pick up a wicket.

While the result secures Brisbane Heat’s spot in the post season, it also keeps the Melbourne Stars firmly planted at the bottom of the ladder, and sees them facing a wooden spoon battle with the Adelaide Strikers in their final match of the season.