BRISBANE–West Indies star Deandra Dottin showed no ill-effects from a three-week layoff due to surgery as she lashed a classy half-century in a Player-of-the-Match performance to help power Brisbane Heat into semifinals of the Women's Big Bash yesterday.
Playing at the Gabba in their second game in as many days, Heat defeated Adelaide Strikers on the one-over eliminator after scores were tied in a dramatic encounter.
In only her second game since recovering from multiple fractures of the cheekbone sustained in an on-field collision with teammate Laura Harris last month, the right-handed Dottin stroked 51 from 41 balls–an innings that lifted Heat to 127 for six off their 20 overs.
They were slumping at 60 for five in the 12th over when Dottin–who batted in a face mask to protect her recent injury–arrived to galvanise the innings in a knock that included seven fours.
Critically, she put on 60 for the sixth wicket with Harris who made 17 not out, to frustrate Strikers down in the latter half of the innings.
Dottin's half-century was her second of the tournament following her unbeaten 60 last month against Sydney Thunder.
In reply, Strikers responded well, with opener Tammy Beaumont hitting 58 from 54 deliveries, captain Tegan McPharlin chipping in with 23 and opener Charlotte Edwards, getting 21.
Strikers were losing their way at 73 for six in the 15th over until Beaumont and McPharlin added 49 for the seventh to revive the innings.
With six runs needed off the final over, medium pacer Dottin failed to prevent Heat from tying the scores–despite a tight over–as Coyte scored the two runs required off the last ball.
Right-armer Dottin produced a miserly four-over spell, claiming one for 17.
She then kept the ball for the eliminator, producing a superb over to limit Strikers to four runs for three wickets–a target easily overhauled off the first two deliveries by Heat.
Heat finished third in the standings following the end of the preliminaries to qualify for the semifinals, and will now face second placed Perth Scorchers in Tuesday's first semifinal.
(CMC)
