ON DAY one of Cricket Australia’s inaugural T20 Spring Challenge, it was Laura Harris‘ maiden T20 century scored for the Brisbane Heat that was the standout.

Sydney Thunder 8-151 (20.0) defeated by Brisbane Heat 1-157 (12.2)

It was the Brisbane Heat that got the first ever T20 Spring Challenge victory with their massive nine-wicket win over the Thunder.

Sydney set a total of 151, which was easily reached by the Heat, led by Harris’ 102 not out off 46 balls, including 11 fours and 8 sixes. One of her sixes was the one to bring up the win and the ton, needing six for the century and one run for the win.

She held down one end while Georgia Redmayne (23 off 16) and Charli Knott (26no off 15) contributed from the other. Redmayne was critical to the Heat’s chase, smashing 14 runs off the first over off Sydney’s Sammy-Jo Johnson.

The Heat brought up the half century off just 18 balls really set the tone for the clash and when Knott came to the middle, they only needed six overs to finish the game.

In the Thunder’s batting innings, it was the partnership of former Heat player Georgia Voll (42 off 25) and Anika Learoyd (39 off 31) that set got them started before the Brisbane bowlers took hold. The only other bowler that resisted the Heat’s bowlers was Hannah Darlington, who fought hard for her 29 runs.

Knott (2/27) was the most economical Heat bowler, with Nicola Hancock and Lucy Hamilton also taking multiple scalps.

Melbourne Renegades 5-170 (19.1) defeated Hobart Hurricanes 5-169 (20.0)

In the Renegades’ pursuit of the Hurricanes’ target, it was Nicole Faltum that was the difference scoring 42 not out to get Melbourne the win with five balls to spare.

Prior to her innings, it was Ella Hayward (34 off 33) and Courtney Webb‘s (37 off 19) partnership that started their batting innings after Emma De Broughe (5 off 4) went early.

Between the knocks of Hayward, Faltum and Webb, the ‘Gades’ struggled to stay at the crease with Naomi Stalenberg (12) and Georgia Prestwidge (16) not going on after getting starts.

Hayley Silver-Holmes was the best of the Canes’ bowlers, finishing with the wickets of de Broughe, Webb and Stalenberg from her four overs.

Considering their squad’s overall experience compared to the Renegades, the Hurricanes’ top order struggled relative to their opposition. Lizelle Lee (23 off 25) and Ruth Johnston (27 off 23) got their side off to a strong start.

This was followed by Elyse Villani‘s contribution of 25, Heather Graham‘s quick-fire 31 off 16 deliveries and Tabatha Saville’s 30 not out off 16.

Saville, Graham and Johnston’s innings were the pick of the side, unfortunately for the Hurricanes, it was the more experienced Lee and Villani who struggled to accelerate their run rate to trouble Melbourne’s bowlers.

Sydney Sixers 5-159 defeated by ACT Meteors 6-172

In what could be one of the upsets in the new competition, it was the ACT Meteors who defeated the Sydney Sixers in game three of the fixture.

With the Sixers unable to chase the Meteors’ total of 172, it was Angelina Genford who was named the Player of the Match for her all-round performance netting one wicket and 27 runs not out off 17 balls.

With the bat, ACT had consistent performances as a team, with every batter except Grace Dignam getting to double digits. Alisha Bates (24 off 18) started strongly alongside Paris Bowdler (17 off nine), before Carly Leeson (27 off 25) and Grace Lyons (22 off 21) got in.

Annie Wikman top-scored for the Meteors with 37 off 26, which included seven fours, forming the other half of the partnership with Genford.

For the Sixers, it was debutant Caoimhe Bray that was the pick of their bowlers. She took 2-19 off her allotted four overs, caping off an amazing bowling display from the 15-year-old.

The Sixers started well in the chase with wicketkeeper batter Kate Pelle top-scoring for them with 56 off 59 deliveries. She was assisted by Mathilda Carmichael (27 off 15) after Elsa Hunter was bowled cheaply by Genford.

When Pelle was dismissed, it opened the door for ACT with the Sixers unable to up the run rate, losing two wickets for two runs in the final couple of overs.

Veteran Erin Burns played out the innings (36no), despite not being able to grind out the win.

Adelaide Strikers 5-150 defeated Perth Scorchers 9-135

In the final match of day one, it was the defending WBBL champs that got the win in the second game at Karen Rolton Oval. In this game, it was the efforts of two young Strikers bowlers, Eleanor Larosa and Maggie Clark, that were fruitful for the home side.

Larosa’s four wickets restricted the Perth side to 135, leaving them 15 runs short of their total. She took the wickets of the dangerous Maddy Darke (35 off 31 balls) as well as tail-enders Lilly Mills, Stella Campbell and Zoe Britcliffe.

It was the Strikers debutant Clark that was arguably more impressive, despite only picking up two wickets, she had the lowest economy (3.25) while also dismissing two set batters in Ines McKeon (30 off 25) and Rebecca McGrath (19 off 18).

For Adelaide batters, it was the partnership of Katie Mack (37 off 28) and Madeline Penna (33 off 30) that got them into the match. After losing Ellie Johnston with the first ball of the game Mack and Penna were excellent in their 61-run partnership.

Following their wickets, it was Annie O’Neil (36 off 31) and Paris Hall (32no off 28) that continued their sides’ strong batting performance. After O’Neil was sent to the sheds just ahead of the innings break, it was their captain Jemma Barsby, who hit a four off her first ball to take them to 150.