Georgia Redmayne and Orla Prendergast struck unbeaten half-centuries as Brisbane Heat defeated Melbourne Stars by eight wickets in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026 at Junction Oval, Melbourne, on Thursday, November 12.
Redmayne scored 74 not out from 50 balls, while Prendergast registered her maiden WBBL fifty with an unbeaten 52 off 36 deliveries. Their 105-run partnership for the third wicket helped Brisbane chase down a target of 166 in 18.5 overs, securing victory with seven balls remaining.
The result extended Brisbane Heat’s winning streak to three matches after two defeats at the start of the season. Melbourne Stars, meanwhile, suffered their fifth loss in six games despite half-centuries from Amy Jones and captain Meg Lanning.
The victory continued Brisbane’s impressive recovery from a difficult start to the tournament, with Redmayne and Prendergast combining to deliver a controlled run chase after the early loss of two wickets.
Amy Jones and Meg Lanning Lead Melbourne Stars to 165/5
After batting first, Melbourne Stars made an impressive start through openers Meg Lanning and Amy Jones, who shared a 108-run partnership. Lanning provided stability with 52 from 45 balls, striking seven boundaries, while Jones maintained a more aggressive approach at the other end.
The opening stand ended in the 14th over when Sarah Glenn dismissed Lanning, with Nicola O’Neil completing the catch. The breakthrough came with Melbourne on 108 for 1, ending a partnership that had established a strong foundation for the innings.
Annabel Sutherland managed only two runs from four deliveries before falling to Sianna Ginger, leaving Melbourne at 113 for 2.
Jones continued to anchor the innings, reaching 74 from 52 balls with 10 boundaries. However, Brisbane’s bowlers prevented the Stars from fully capitalising on their strong opening partnership.
Dani Gibson contributed seven runs before being dismissed by Prendergast with the score on 134 for 3. Jones was then stumped by Redmayne off Ginger at 148 for 4, ending an innings that had kept Melbourne competitive.
Georgia Prestwidge provided late acceleration with 20 from just eight balls, including two fours and a six, before falling to Lucy Hamilton at 162 for 5.
Melbourne eventually finished on 165 for 5 from their allotted 20 overs, a total that reflected their strong opening partnership but also Brisbane’s ability to restrict scoring opportunities during the latter stages.
Ginger was Brisbane’s most successful bowler, returning figures of 2 for 22 from three overs. Glenn contributed 1 for 21 from four overs, while Prendergast claimed 1 for 36 and Hamilton finished with 1 for 34, both from four overs.
The disciplined bowling performance ensured that Melbourne could not fully capitalise on the 108-run opening stand, leaving Brisbane with a challenging but achievable target.
Redmayne and Prendergast Complete Unbeaten 105-Run Partnership
Brisbane Heat encountered an early setback in their chase when Grace Harris departed for two, leaving the visitors at 14 for 1 in the second over. Charli Knott then joined Georgia Redmayne and helped rebuild the innings with a brisk 30 from 24 deliveries, including six boundaries. The pair added 47 runs for the second wicket, taking Brisbane from 14 for 1 to 61 for 2 before Knott was dismissed in the seventh over.
Her departure brought Prendergast to the crease, with Brisbane still requiring 105 runs to complete the chase. From that point, Redmayne and Prendergast controlled the innings with an unbeaten 105-run partnership from 71 deliveries.
Redmayne struck 12 boundaries in her 74 not out from 50 balls, combining consistent scoring with well-timed attacking shots. Her innings provided the foundation for Brisbane’s successful pursuit and ensured that the required run rate remained manageable.
Prendergast complemented her captain with an aggressive 52 not out from 36 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six. The Ireland international reached her maiden WBBL half-century and ensured Brisbane maintained the necessary scoring momentum.
The partnership was particularly important because it came after Melbourne had dismissed two of Brisbane’s top-order batters within the opening seven overs. Rather than allowing the Stars to build pressure, Redmayne and Prendergast rotated the strike effectively and capitalised on scoring opportunities to maintain control of the chase.
Their unbeaten stand carried the Heat to 166 for 2 in 18.5 overs, sealing an eight-wicket victory with seven deliveries remaining.
Redmayne was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten innings, while Prendergast completed an impressive all-round performance after also taking a wicket earlier in the contest.
Orla Prendergast Registers Maiden WBBL Half-Century
Prendergast’s performance was a significant individual achievement as she recorded her first fifty in the Women’s Big Bash League. The Ireland all-rounder arrived with Brisbane at 61 for 2 and helped transform a potentially difficult chase into a successful pursuit.
Her unbeaten 52 demonstrated her ability to score quickly while building a substantial partnership with an established batter. Prendergast also contributed with the ball, dismissing Dani Gibson during Melbourne’s innings and finishing with figures of 1 for 36 from four overs.
Her contributions in both disciplines made her one of Brisbane’s most influential players in the match.
Although Redmayne received the Player of the Match award, Prendergast’s batting and bowling performances were crucial to Brisbane’s third consecutive win. Her 105-run partnership with Redmayne also demonstrated the value of Brisbane’s middle-order batting, particularly after the team had lost two wickets before reaching 62.
For Prendergast, the innings represented an important milestone in her WBBL career and provided further evidence of her ability to contribute in high-pressure situations.
Brisbane Heat Climb to Third in WBBL 2026 Standings
Brisbane Heat’s victory continued their recovery after opening the tournament with two consecutive defeats. Following the November 12 match, three successive wins had lifted the team to third place in the standings with six points from five matches.
Melbourne Stars were seventh with two points from six matches, having managed only one victory during the opening stages of the competition.
Despite a 108-run opening partnership and a competitive total of 165 for 5, the Stars were unable to defend their score as Redmayne and Prendergast dominated the second half of the chase.
The result highlighted Melbourne’s difficulties in maintaining pressure with the ball after establishing a strong position through their opening batters. While Lanning and Jones provided a solid foundation, Brisbane’s bowlers limited the Stars’ scoring during the closing stages, preventing them from reaching a potentially more demanding total.
Brisbane then demonstrated greater consistency in the run chase, recovering from 61 for 2 through the unbeaten partnership between Redmayne and Prendergast.
The Stars are scheduled to face Sydney Thunder in Sydney on November 16, while Brisbane Heat’s next fixture is against Hobart Hurricanes in Hobart on November 14.
Both teams enter those upcoming matches with different priorities. Brisbane aim to extend their winning streak and strengthen their position near the top of the table, while Melbourne need to reverse their difficult start to the season.
