Match 17 – Sydney Thunder Women vs Adelaide Strikers Women at Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Playing XI of Sydney Thunder – Rachel Priest (wk), Stafanie Taylor, Naomi Stalenberg, Harmanpreet Kaur, Alex Blackwell (c), Nicola Carey, Samantha Bates, Rene Farrell, Maisy Gibson, Lisa Griffith, Belinda Vakarewa

Playing XI of Adelaide Strikers – Suzie Bates (c), Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Devine, Amanda Wellington, Bridget Patterson, Tabatha Saville, Tegan McPharlin (wk), Megan Schutt, Sarah Coyte, Danielle Hazell, Alex Price

Toss – Won by Sydney Thunder Women and elected to bowl first

1^st Innings Summary – Although, Adelaide Strikers went off to a speedy start but lost both their openers pretty early as the team’s scoreboard read 45-2 at the end of the mandatory batting powerplay. Number four batter Bridget Patterson played intelligently holding one end safely. Middle order wicketkeeper batter Tegan McPharlin played her role well by scoring some quick runs and contributing vital runs for her team but could not keep her cool as she lost her wicket on the last ball of 17^th over. Tabatha Saville played a couple to good shots and remained not out till the end.

2^nd Innings Summary – Sydney Thunder suffered a nightmare start as they lost opener Rachel Priest on the very first ball of the innings. Naomi Stalenberg was the next to go back into the team’s dug-out after getting LBW out on the first ball of the very next over. As a result was that, Sydney Thunder made just 31 runs in first six overs (mandatory batting powerplay overs). But then two partnerships between Stafanie Taylor and Alex Blackwell and Taylor and Harmanpreet Kaur changed the game all together. Harmanpreet remained not-out on 52 as her she finished off the game by hitting a four on the second ball of 19^th.

Player of the match – Stafanie Taylor dismissing both the openers (big-hitters) of Adelaide Strikers early and then taking her team out of the danger zone and making 55runs off just 42 balls including four 4s and three 6s.

Brief scorecard:

Adelaide Strikers Women – 145/5 (20 overs)

Sydney Thunder Women – 146/5 (18.2 overs)

Result – Sydney Thunder Women won by 5 wickets

Kanika Parineeta

‘Gully’ cricket player and close observer of Indian Cricket team and it’s matches. Straight forward and still socially admirable personality. Strong belief in teamwork and possess high leadership skills.