The 40th match of the seventh edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) was played between Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide on Wednesday.
Toss
Sydney Sixers 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 (wk), Sarah Coyte, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown
Sydney Sixers: Alyssa Healy (wk), Ellyse Perry (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Nicole Bolton, Shafali Verma, Angela Reakes, Maitlan Brown, Radha Yadav, Claire Moore, Stella Campbell, Emma Hughes
1st innings Sydney Sixers 142-4 in 20 overs
Batting first, Sydney Sixers posted a respectable score of 142-4 in 20 overs, riding on Shafali Verma’s unbeaten half century. The swashbuckling Indian batter smashed 53 off 43 balls, including six boundaries and a six. Captain Ellyse Perry (24 runs off 19 balls) and Nicole Bolton (34 runs off 38 balls) were the other major contributors with the bat. For Adelaide Strikers, Darcie Brown was the pick of the bowlers as she struck with 2-34 in her four overs. Amanda Wellington was the other wicket-taker, who accounted for 1-26 in her four overs.
2nd innings Adelaide Strikers 148-2 in 18.5 overs
In reply, Adelaide Strikers chased down the target with ease in 18.5 overs, winning the match by eight wickets. After losing Dane van Niekerk (0) cheaply in the very first over, Katie Mack and Laura Wolvaardt came together to put up a 74-run partnership for the second wicket. While Mack top scored with an unbeaten 67 off 55 balls, Wolvaardt mustered 33 runs off 27 balls. Captain Tahlia McGrath was the other contributor with the bat muscling 40 not out off 30 balls. For Sydney Sixers, Maitlan Brown was the lone wicket-taker picking up one wicket, that of van Niekerk.
Player of the Match
Adelaide Strikers’ Katie Mack won the player of the match for her match winning batting performance of 67 not out off 55 balls.
Next fixtures
Adelaide Strikers will play against Hobart Hurricanes on November 13 at Harrup Park in Mackay, while Sydney Sixers will lock horns against Brisbane Heat on the same date and at the same venue.
Brief Score
Sydney Sixers 142-4 in 20 overs (S Verma 53 not out; D Brown 2-34) lost to Adelaide Strikers 148-2 in 18.5 overs (K Mack 67 not out; M Brown 1-30) by 8 wickets.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.