Winter Watch (w/e 16 Dec): Ecstasy to agony for David Wiese, Danni Wyatt & Georgia Elwiss impress in Big Bash

In South Africa’s Msanzi Super League, Rashid Khan helped Durban Heat finish their disappointing campaign with a win in their final group match on Wednesday. Rashid was the most economical bowler on either side as the Heat beat Tshwane Spartans at Centurion Park. The Spartans made 188-6 batting first as Rashid took 2-25 from his four overs, before hitting six off three balls - all of them coming from another mind-boggling helicopter shot -as the Heat made it to their target with two wickets and one ball remaining. Despite the victory, Durban finished the tournament in bottom place.

🚁🚁🚁🚁😍😍 @MSL_T20 @durban_heat 👍🏻👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/0yfE6NnQWt

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) December 13, 2018

David Wiese’s Paarl Rocks, however, snuck into third-place after beating Nelson Mandela Bay Giants on Wednesday. David bowled three tidy overs and took the wicket of Jason Roy to finish with figures of 1-19 as the Giants were restricted to 129-8. That proved a comfortable chase for the Rocks, who made it home with six wickets and almost five overs to spare. David hit the winning runs, making eight off two balls, and booked the Rocks place in the play-off.

The Paarl Rocks won by 6 wickets and secure the vital bonus point!

130/4

Markram 14*
Wiese 8*#MSLT20 #PaarlRocks #PRvNMBG pic.twitter.com/p6KFicqVpo

— Paarl Rocks (@Paarl_Rocks) December 12, 2018

That was all in vain, however, as rain washed out Friday’s play off between the Rocks and Jozi Stars at Johannesburg. With no reserve day available, it was the Stars who proceeded to Sunday’s final given their superior points total in the group stage. They then overcame Cape Town Blitz to be crowned inaugural Msanzi Super League champions.

Really disappointing way to get knocked out of the @MSL_T20 sport is all about competing and we didn't get that chance last night!! Surely you need a reserve day for a semi final!! Anyway I've had an awesome time with @Paarl_Rocks thank you everybody for your support!!

— David Wiese (@David_Wiese) December 15, 2018

Over in Victoria, Australia, Saturday saw the second day of the current round of two-day Premier Cricket matches. Opening the bowling for Northcote, George Garton took 1-60 from his 16 overs as Prahran were successful in overhauling the 320 Northcote had made on the previous weekend and thereby recorded a first innings victory.

Luke Wells bowled another two overs and took a catch as Kingston Hawthorn declared on 253-8 in reply to Casey-South Melbourne’s 171 all out a week earlier. Luke was bowled for nought as Casey made it to 140-4 at the conclusion of the match, with Kingston taking the points for a first innings win.

On Tuesday, Luke powered his way to 46 off 34 and picked up 3-27 with the ball as the Casey ‘Swans’ thumped the Camberwell Magpies in the latest round of the Stars Conference of the Victoria Super Slam midweek T20 competition.

George made his debut in the Renegades Conference of the same competition on the same day as his Northcote ‘Dragons’ triumphed against Melbourne ‘Demons’. George hit nine from nine balls as the Dragons posted 154-7 from their 20 overs, before impressing with 1-17 from his four overs with the ball as the Demons were restricted to 142-8 in reply.

Danni Wyatt continued her good form in the Women’s Big Bash, making a run-a-ball 32 as part of a 75-run opening partnership for Melbourne Renegades in their match against Brisbane Heat at Geelong on Sunday. A lack of contributions further down the order, however, meant that the Renegades fell 22 runs short of the 175 they’d been set for victory.

Georgia Elwiss showed off her all-round credentials as her Melbourne Stars took on Perth Scorchers in two games at Casey Fields over the weekend. On Saturday, Georgia smashed 26 middle order runs from 24 balls and bowled four overs for 27 runs as the Scorchers recorded an eight-wicket victory.

The Stars got their revenge on Sunday with a four-wicket win. Georgia was the pick of the Melbourne bowlers taking 2-10 from three overs as the Scorchers were restricted to just 90-7. She then chipped in with an unbeaten 13 as the Stars made it home in the sixteenth over with four overs in hand.