Match 38: Laura Wolvaardt’s 54 Runs guide Adelaide Strikers to victory against Sydney Thunder

The 38th match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide on Tuesday.

 

Toss

Adelaide Strikers won the toss and opted to bat first.

Playing XI

Adelaide Strikers: Dane van Niekerk, Katie Mack, Laura Wolvaardt, Tahlia McGrath(c), Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Amanda Wellington, Tegan McPharlin(w), Sarah Coyte, Jemma Barsby, Megan Schutt

Sydney Thunder: Smriti Mandhana, Tahlia Wilson(w), Phoebe Litchfield, Corinne Hall, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Deepti Sharma, Anika Learoyd, Hannah Darlington(c), Lauren Smith, Isabelle Wong, Samantha Bates

1st innings Adelaide Strikers 176-4 in 20 overs

Batting first, Adelaide Strikers posted a competitive score of 176-4 in 20 overs, riding on twin half-centuries from the South African duo of Dane van Niekerk (58 runs off 46 balls) and Laura Wolvaardt (54 runs off 32 balls). The opening pair of van Niekerk and Katie Mack (31 runs off 28 balls) put together 65 runs in 10 overs to lay a solid foundation. Towards the end, Madeline Penna muscled an unbeaten 14 off 9 to help her team reach a formidable score. For Sydney Thunder, Sammy-Jo Johnson was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 2-25 in her four overs.

2nd innings Sydney Thunder 158-6 in 20 overs

In reply, Sydney Thunder fought hard as they scored 158-6 in 20 overs, losing the match by just 18 runs. After losing their opener Smriti Mandhana (7) cheaply, Tahlia Wilson and Phoebe Litchfield came together to stitch a 73-run partnership for the second wicket. While Wilson mustered 42 runs off 46 balls, Litchfield plundered 40 runs off 28 balls. Isabelle Wong top scored with 43 runs off just 17 balls. Her innings included six sixes. For Adelaide Strikers, captain Tahlia McGrath and Amanda Wellington struck with two wickets each.

Player of the Match

Adelaide Strikers’ Laura Wolvaardt won the player of the match for her scintillating batting performance of 54 runs off 32 balls.

Next fixtures

Adelaide Strikers will play against Sydney Sixers on November 10 at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, while Sydney Thunder will lock horns against Perth Scorchers again on November 11 at the same venue.

Brief Score

Adelaide Strikers 176-4 in 20 overs (D van Niekerk 58; SJ Johnson 2-25) beat Sydney Thunder 158-6 in 20 overs (I Wong 43; T McGrath 2-20, A Wellington 2-38) by 18 runs