Devine’s destructive innings helped Adelaide Strikers strike a thrilling win against Thunder in a one-over eliminator after a tie at Hobart on Sunday.
Winning the toss, Thunder skipper asked Strikers to bat first. The opener Bates got out soon for just 9 runs. The other opener Sophie Devine continued her deadly form with the bat as she played a sensational inning of 88 runs in just 56 balls including 10 fours and 4 sixes. This was her 7th fifty of the season and with this innings, she became the leading run-scorer of this season. She got good support from young McGrath who scored a decent 32. In the end, some late hitting from Mack made Adelaide end on 161 for 6 in 20 overs. With the ball, it was Darlington who continued her form with 3 wickets for Thunder.
Chasing the target of 162, Priest was on fire from ball one as she scored a quick 48 in just 20 balls and she got good support from Stalenberg who scored an important 37 runs. Both got out after reaching 48 and 37 respectively. When it was going tough for Thunder, Rachael Haynes and Rachel Trenaman with their quick cameos of 29 and 20 respectively helped Thunder to a tie. Sadly, Thunder required 1 run of the last ball but the batter Nida Dar failed to pick a run as she was lbw by Coyote which lead to one over Eliminator. With the ball, it was a young spinner Wellington took 3 wickets for Strikers.
Coming to one-over eliminator, Thunder had to bat first and Wellington to bowl for Strikers. Rachel Trenaman and Priest were the players to open. Priest got out for 2 and in came Haynes and they ended up scoring 6 runs in 1 over.
For Strikers, it was Devine and Bates to bat and Ismail to bowl for Thunders. The Devine Show continued as she scored a four of the first ball and completed the match with a two and one in next two balls leading Strikers to a thrilling win.
Brief Scores: Strikers 161 for 6 in 20 overs ( Devine 88 & Darlington 3 for 29) defeated Thunder 161 for 6 in 20 overs ( Priest 48 & Wellington 3 for 17) in a one-over eliminator.