Brisbane Heat’s Lucy Hamilton etched her name in WBBL history as the youngest player to claim a five-wicket haul, leading her team to a commanding six-wicket victory over the Melbourne Stars. The 18-year-old left-arm quick, who recently finished her exams in Bundaberg, delivered a career-best performance, helping dismiss the Stars for 138.
Hamilton’s Historic Spell
Hamilton’s remarkable spell of 5 for 8 tied the second-best figures in the tournament’s 10-year history, alongside Amanda-Jade Wellington, and just behind Megan Schutt’s 6 for 19. Entering the match without a wicket in her WBBL career, Hamilton’s breakthrough performance came at a crucial moment for the Heat.
After Annabel Sutherland started strongly for the Stars with 21 runs, Hamilton bowled both Sutherland and Yastika Bhatia in her first over. She followed it up by dismissing Meg Lanning for 13, Tess Flintoff caught driving to mid-off, and Deepti Sharma trapped lbw to complete her historic five-wicket haul.
“I can’t believe what just happened,” Hamilton said. “Getting my first wicket and then a five-for, all the girls were around me. It was really exciting. I’ve had to stay patient, but it all came together today.”
Heat Dominate the Chase
Brisbane Heat comfortably chased down the target of 139, reaching it with 15 balls to spare. Indian star Jemimah Rodrigues led the charge with a blistering 45 off 31 balls, including two sixes and five fours. She was ably supported by Charlie Knott, as Heat cruised to their third consecutive win, moving them to third on the WBBL ladder.
Rodrigues’ innings ended when she was deceived by a slower ball from Sutherland, but the team had already secured control of the chase.
A Star in the Making
Hamilton’s journey to this historic performance is a testament to her dedication. Representing Australia at the Under-19 level, she has balanced her cricketing commitments with a five-hour commute from Bundaberg to Brisbane. Now preparing to relocate to Brisbane permanently, Hamilton is focused on honing her skills further.
“I’ve been working on standing the seam up and backing myself to swing the ball back in,” she shared. “It’s about progressive training and building confidence to execute consistently.”
Stars Struggle as Heat Shine
For the Stars, late contributions from Kim Garth and Maisy Gibson provided some resistance, but their total of 138 was never enough. With just two wins from seven matches, the Stars’ season is all but over.
In contrast, Brisbane Heat’s dominant form has strengthened their push for a playoff spot, with Hamilton’s historic spell marking a significant milestone in the team’s campaign.
