Heat star fit for WBBL final

Key Brisbane Heat batter Jemimah Rodrigues is set to play in Sunday’s WBBL final against the Melbourne Renegades despite carrying a wrist injury.

The Indian star was forced to retire hurt on 43 not out while batting on Friday night in the Heat’s nine-wicket playoff thrashing of the Sydney Thunder at Allan Border Field after hurting her wrist earlier while fielding.

However, Heat captain Jess Jonassen on Saturday declared that Rodrigues would be fit for the decider at the MCG.

“From my understanding, there’s no real concern there,” Jonassen said.

“She’s going through all the right processes being an Indian player with an important series coming up against the Australian girls, (but) from all reports, it’s just a soft tissue thing, and ruling out anything else a bit more sinister later on, she’ll be right to go.”

The Heat carry significant momentum into the final, having won their past six matches.

“We were really riding the wave, We’ve been so used to having to get to this point the hardest way possible, so it’s actually quite refreshing to have one less (finals series) game this time around,” Jonassen said.

“We’re playing some really good cricket at the moment, so we can’t wait to get out there.

“The quick turnaround (between games) is probably a positive, particularly when you do feel like your group’s in a good space.

“With T20 as well, people always talk about it being a momentum game.

“For us, you don’t have too much time to stop and think about it. The opportunity for a lot of our girls to be playing at the MCG for the very first time in such a big game, it doesn’t allow it to sink in too much for them to have too many nerves too soon.

“I’m just super-excited for them to be able to get that opportunity.”

The Renegades are also on a winning run, having tasted victory in their past five games.

However, having topped the ladder to qualify directly for the final, the Melbourne outfit hasn’t played a match since beating the Thunder last Saturday at Junction Oval.

But Renegades captain Sophie Molineux, who starred with the bat and ball last weekend, wasn’t concerned about her side’s extended break.

“We’ve had a week to firstly just relax and refresh ourselves, and we’ve been slowly building up over the week,” Molineux said.

“We had our main training session (on Friday), which was really good, and we’re feeling really ready – that’s for sure.”