The Brisbane Heat will take on the Adelaide Strikers in Saturday's WBBL grand final after crushing the Perth Scorchers by 67 runs at the WACA Ground. Star Heat opener Grace Harris pummeled 54 off 33 balls to lift the visitors to 5-197 in Wednesday night's preliminary final. Charli Knott (32no off 14), Amelia Kerr (31 off 23) and Laura Harris (24 off 11) chipped in with handy scores as the Heat posted the biggest ever total in a WBBL finals match. In reply, the Scorchers were restricted to 8-130 in front of 2226 fans, with only Natalie Sciver-Brunt (36 off 27) posting any score of note. Heat spinner Georgia Voll snared 4-19 from her four overs in a standout display, while Jess Jonassen (2-25) and Nicola Hancock (1-17 off four overs) were also crucial. The Strikers earned direct entry to the grand final - plus hosting rights at Adelaide Oval - after finishing three games clear on top of the ladder. But the Heat loom as a dangerous opponent after thumping both the Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers in consecutive cut-throat finals at the WACA. The Scorchers' bowlers struggled against the Heat and the home side was also sloppy in the field at times. Amy Edgar dropped a skied sitter off her own bowling when Kerr was on 30, while Piepa Cleary stepped over the rope after taking a catch when Mignon du Preez was on 20. The errors only cost seven runs but the powerful Heat batting line-up was able to feast on the Scorchers' bowling attack throughout. Scorchers star Sophie Devine copped the most pain with figures of 0-41 from her three overs while Edgar (0-35 off three) and Chloe Ainsworth (0-25 off two) were also thrashed. Spinner Alana King (3-30 off four overs) was the most dangerous and economical bowler. Harris got the party started with 10 fours and a six, needing just 26 balls to post her half-century. The Scorchers' run chase never truly got going. Openers Beth Mooney (18) and Lauren Winfield-Hill (15) failed to make the most of their solid starts. And when Devine (13) skied Voll to hand wicketkeeper Georgia Redmayne an easy catch, the Scorchers were 4-62 with the required run rate spiralling out of control. Sciver-Brunt kept the Scorchers within striking distance, but all hope was lost when she was trapped LBW by Jonassen with Perth still needing 135 more runs off 71 balls. Voll was superb throughout, with Chloe Piparo, Maddy Darke and Devine among her victims. Australian Associated Press
