The Adelaide Strikers Women as they won a thriller against Sydney Sixers Women in the finals of the Women’s Big Bash League to win their first ever title.
The Strikers won the toss and decided to have a go with the bat first. Laura Wolvaardt and Katie Mack provided the team with a good start adding 51 runs on the board for the first wicket.
The team lost quick wickets as the openers departed after providing their team with a good start. Skipper Tahlia McGrath rebuilt the innings with a partnership of 44 runs alongside Windies star Deandra Dottin.
Adelaide Strikers manage to put 147 runs on the board for the loss of 5 wickets in their quota of 20 overs. This was because of a lucky half-century from Dottin, who smashed an unbeaten 52 off 37, including 6 fours and 2 sixes.
For the Sixers, Sophie Ecclestone picked a couple of wickets, while Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle and Kate Peterson picking up a wicket to their name.
In reply, chasing the target of 147 runs on the board, the Sixers found no breathing room as the Strikers’ bowlers reduced Sixers to 16/4 within the power play.
Ellyse Perry and Nicole Bolton fought hard to bring their team back in the match with a partnership of 60 runs for the 5th wicket. Once Bolton got out in the 14th over, Sixers lost their way once again as wickets kept tumbling to the scorecard pressure.
Eventually, Adelaide Strikers Women won by 10 runs.
ReadMore: Martin Guptill dropped from the team and released from NZC central contract
Post Match – Comments
Tahlia McGrath (Strikers captain): It hasn’t sunk in yet. It has been bloody special. Been a crazy week to be fair. We didn’t know if we’ll make the final or not, whether we will finish second or third or fourth. Not a great deal of sleep with the travelling. But this group was hungry and determined to win. Last year hurt for sure. Had a great season and felt short at the final hurdle. But we had been building for the last few years and failing at the last hurdle. This feels special, we were determined this season. Thanks to Cricket Australia, the sponsors and the public.
Ellysse Perry (Sixers captain): It’s been a wonderful season for us. Enjoyed each other’s company. Obviously today didn’t go to plan but to be in this position (after last season’s disappointment) is a great feeling. Very good to be back here (at North Sydney Oval) and the crowd has been amazing. To have such a crowd for women’s cricket, for both teams, is really good. Congratulations to Tahlia and her team, they’ve been knocking the door for some years now. Congratulations to our entire group and support staff, unfortunate that it didn’t to plan today but I can’t thank you all enough for the fun. We’ve done a great job to bring cricket back to North Sydney Oval. Bolty (Bolton) has been a fantastic servant of the game, she has won so many games over the years and I’m sure she isn’t done yet, because she still has so much to give. Thanks a lot to the crowd once again.
Deandra Dottin (Player of the Match): Means a lot to me. Been a long season. Came here and blended well with the team. First time in a WBBL final and feels good. I wanted to stay till the end, so that we could get a good score on the board. In power surge, didn’t go to plan for us. Always good to get two of their top batters early to keep them on the backfoot.
