Jemimah Rodrigues of Brisbane Heat plays the shot. (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: After basking in the glory of a historic ICC Women’s World Cup triumph, Jemimah Rodrigues’ return to competitive cricket turned out to be an anti-climax. The star batsman managed just six runs as her Brisbane Heat suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Melbourne Renegades in a Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) match in Brisbane on Sunday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Playing her first match since lifting the World Cup trophy last week, Jemimah came out to a warm welcome and looked eager to continue her rich run of form. However, her stay was short-lived – she faced nine deliveries before going from Alice Capsey to Deandra Dottin at the opposite point. An early dismissal ended any hopes of a major comeback, though her presence added considerable buzz and star power to the competition.Brisbane Heat, batting first, could only muster 133 all out in 20 overs. Nadine de Klerk (40 off 38) and Chinelle Henry (29 off 22) provided some resistance but the Renegades spin attack kept things in check. Skipper Georgia Wareham led from the front with figures of 3/12, well supported by Capsey (3/22) and Tess Flintoff (3/30) as the Heat line-up crumbled.
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A rain interruption midway through the chase reduced the Renegades target to 66 runs in 8 overs. They made light work of it, reaching the total in just 7.3 overs, thanks to Courtney Webb’s unbeaten 34 off 22 balls and Wareham’s composed 16 not out.Ahead of the game, Brisbane Heat shared a hilarious video of Jemimah on social media, saying: “I’m here in Brisbane, can you believe it? Very excited for today, let’s go!”But the day belonged to Melbourne as Jemimah’s long-awaited return to WBBL action ended in disappointment – her first setback since an incredible World Cup high.
