Heat seek revenge against Strikers in blockbuster WBBL match at the Gabba

Grace Harris is calling on fans to fill the stands as the WBBL returns to the Gabba for the first time in six years on Saturday night, to headline a big month of Brisbane events. SEE WHAT’S ON

Grace Harris produced the highlight of last year’s WBBL season when she hit a six with a broken bat, on her way to a record 136no from just 59 balls.

Moments earlier, she had yelled to her Brisbane Heat teammates, “Guys, I need a new bat”, before changing her mind and adding: “Nah stuff it, I’ll still hit it.”

The ball cleared the rope, despite Harris’s bat snapping at the handle when it made contact.

So what will the entertaining all-rounder do this year?

Cricket fans will want to be in the stands to witness it – especially when Harris and the Heat take on the team that narrowly defeated them in last year’s final, the Adelaide Strikers, at the Gabba on November 9.

The Stadium Series contest will be the first WBBL match at the Gabba in six years, and Aussie DJs Kinder – aka sisters Savannah and Briony Osei – will also perform in the innings break of the family-friendly event.

Grace Harris of the Heat is pumped at the prospect of playing on the Gabba against WBBL rivals the Strikers. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

“I hope everyone in Brisbane comes along. I’d love them to cheer for us and help us get over the line in a good, hard-fought T20 match,” Harris said. “We love playing home games to get the crowd behind us.”

The teal team got a bit of revenge when it defeated the Strikers by four wickets in the WBBL season 10 opener at Adelaide Oval.

Indian all-rounder Shikha Pandey was a standout for the Heat, taking 2/14 from four overs. She is at the top of Harris’s list of players to watch this season, thanks to her “lethal weapon of medium inswing bowling” and consequent comparisons to Australian pace bowler Megan Schutt.

Brisbane has also recruited Jemimah Rodrigues of India and Nadine de Klerk of South Africa – or “Noodle”, as Harris calls her – and has a raft of talented young guns.

Harris said the latter included left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton, who “has that real competitive and go-at-em edge to her” from growing up playing boys’ cricket in the country, and Sianna Ginger, who “has the athletic capacity to develop into a fantastic all-round product”.

Brisbane Heat players – including wicketkeeper Georgia Redmayne and captain Jess Jonassen – celebrate a wicket. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Big-hitting sisters Grace and Laura Harris. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

Harris’s big-hitting sister Laura – known among the group as the “Power Surge Queen” – is as much a human highlight reel as her sibling.

And Harris herself is “fit and firing”, having recovered from her “old-girl injury” – a calf tear.

“I’m always looking forward to T20 cricket. It’s fun, isn’t it?” the 31-year-old said.

“It doesn’t really matter what role I play, whether I’m top or in the middle. I will try and get in Jono’s (captain Jess Jonassen) ear about getting more of a bowl.

“But we’ve got our eyes on the trophy.

“We embrace all the things the competition throws at us. And outside of that, we’re gonna have a tonne of fun along the way.”

The Brisbane Heat will take on the Adelaide Strikers at The Gabba, 6.15pm on November 9. Tickets available from $15 for adults, $10 for concession, $8 for juniors, $34 for families via Ticketek.

Other events in Brisbane

Fans Madeleine Evans, 10, and Joshua Evans, 7, met Bingo and Bluey at Bluey's World Brisbane.

Young Matilda’s player Sharn Freier will be one to watch when Brisbane Roar host Sydney FC. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

BLUEYS WORLD

It’s the hottest ticket in town. The immersive experience centre that will bring Bluey fans from across the world to Brisbane is now open. Bluey’s World celebrates the world’s favourite Heeler family on a 4000sq m site at Northshore Pavilion in Brisbane. Tickets are on sale from now until September, 2025. Bluey’s World will be officially opened on November 12.

Book tickets at ticketek.blueysworld.com.au

FOOTBALL STARS

A-League Women’s football action comes to Perry Park at Bowen Hills at 3pm on November 9, when Brisbane Roar host Sydney FC. It will be Brisbane’s first home game of the new Ninja A-League season under coach Alex Smith, who will prioritise developing Queensland talent and the next crop of Matildas stars like forward Sharn Freier, who also made her Olympics debut in Paris.

Tickets and club memberships at brisbaneroar.com.au

Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia is showing at Royal Queensland Golf Club.

TASTE OF MEXICO

Brisbane audiences love Cirque du Soleil. If you haven’t been to this season of Luzia, this weekend is your final chance before the big top heads to Sydney. Luzia is inspired by the people, places and stories that define Mexico. It’s a stunning performance of skill, acrobatics and storytelling. Cirque is showing at Royal Queensland Golf Club until November 10.

Visit cirquedusoleil.com/Luzia

FOR THE KIDS

The Children’s Art Centre at QAGOMA is running a collection of seven artist projects for its Asia Pacific Triennial Kids exhibition. Children can explore their creativity through making multimedia interactives and reflect on the experiences of others through drawing and video works by artists from India, New Zealand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Cambodia and Timor-Leste. Admission is free.

Visit qagoma.qld.gov.au

NOSTALGIC HIT

Queensland Theatre’s Round the Twist The Musical starts at QPAC on November 12. Based on the popular television series and stories by children’s book author Paul Jennings, the musical will deliver a hit of nostalgia for audiences inside the Playhouse theatre.

Visit queenslandtheatre.com.au

T20 CRICKET

Australia hosts Pakistan at the Gabba to kickstart the summer’s T20 International series on Thursday, November 14. Between the two teams, some of the world’s best white-ball players will be in action throughout the three-game series. The game starts at 6pm.

Visit premier.ticketek.com.au

Cam Smith of Australia will contest the Australian PGA Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club. Picture: Warren Little / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

PGA IS BACK

The BMW Australian PGA Championship returns to Brisbane this month, with Australian golf stars Cam Smith, Jason Day, Cam Davis and Min Woo Lee confirmed starters. The tournament is held at Royal Queensland Golf Club from November 21-24, but there is a week of events that will suit the golf nuts, the city’s social crowd and families. The 17th Party Hole will be full of action on and off the course, while iconic Brisbane seafood restaurant Tillerman has a premium dining experience at the 18th.

Tickets and information at championship.pga.org.au

Originally published as Heat seek revenge against Strikers in blockbuster WBBL match at the Gabba