After 56 games and 2 challenging playoff matches, the Adelaide Strikers will face off against the Brisbane Heat in the WBBL 09 Finals. The match promises to be thrilling, with the Strikers eyeing for a consecutive title and the Heat out to upset them. The game is scheduled to take place on 2nd December at the Adelaide Oval at 1:40 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
The Strikers, led by Tahlia McGrath, had a phenomenal campaign. They won 11 games out of 14 and topped the table with 22 points. Out of the 3 games they lost, one was against the Heat, which can be a troubling fact. However, with talent like Katie Mack and Amanda Jade Wellington on the team, winning the trophy for a second time can be an easy feat for them.
The Heat have been no less exceptional. Despite losing three matches in a row towards the business end of the tournament, the team was able to turn around with victories against the Thunder and Scorchers. They won 8 of their 14 games and ended the regular season in the 3rd position in the points table. Players like Grace Harris and Jess Jonassen are in great form, and their chances of winning are high.
Squads:
Brisbane Heat: Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll, Amelia Kerr, Bess Heath, Mignon du Preez, Sarah Glenn, Lucy Hamilton
Adelaide Strikers: Georgia Adams, Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Dani Gibson, Katie Mack, Tahlia McGrath (c), Anesu Mushangwe, Courtney Neale, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson, Laura Wolvaardt
Players to watch out:
Amelia Kerr:
Amelia Kerr is a big match player and will be expected to perform well in the final. The 23-year-old has been in exceptional form and has played many match-winning innings for the Heat. Her last three scores are 20, 48, and 31 and her bowling figures are 0/23, 1/23, and 1/28. She was also awarded the Player of the Match trophy in the Eliminator. She will be a player to watch out for.
Katie Mack:
The leading run scorer for the Strikers, Katie Mack will be a player to watch out for. She has amassed 449 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.07. She has hit 3 fifties and has a high score of 86 this season. Her performance will be vital in the Strikers’ innings and the team will hope she performs well.
Grace Harris:
Grace Harris has had an incredible campaign. She scored an unbeaten 136 against the Perth Scorchers and smashed the WBBL record for the highest individual score. She had a few low scores after that but then quickly turned it around. In the last two matches, her scores were 45 and 54. The Heat will be hoping for a big score from her in the final.
Jess Jonassen:
The third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, Jess Jonassen will be a player to watch out for. She has taken 23 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 8.26. She has been leading the side from the front. In the important Challenger match she took the important wickets of Beth Mooney and Nat Sciver Brunt. The team will hope she performs well in the final as well.
Pitch:
The Adelaide Oval offers a balanced surface and will provide assistance to both batters and bowlers. Amongst the bowlers, it will favor pacers. The average score at the venue is 116.
Weather:
It is expected to be partly cloudy with the temperature being 22 degrees Celsius and humidity being 62%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Bridget Patterson, Grace Harris, Katie Mack, Laura Wolvaardt, Amelia Kerr, Tahila McGrath, Danielle Gibson, Charli Knott, Jess Jonassen, Megan Scutt, Amanda Jade Wellington
Match details:
Date – 2nd December, 2023
Time – 1:40 PM, IST
Venue – Adelaide Oval
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode App and Website.
Vaishnavi is a passionate author with an unwavering love for cricket, particularly women’s cricket. Her writing reflects her deep admiration for the sport and her dedication to promoting women’s participation in it. When she’s not following the latest cricket matches, Vaishnavi can be found engrossed in books or enjoying movies.