It was the Strikers’ third attempt at a WBBL grand final, making the day at North Sydney Oval all the more special.
It was an up and down WBBL season, losing the first two matches but then winning the next two in front of a home crowd. Against the Renegades at Karen Rolton Oval, Amanda-Jade Wellington took 5-8, matching the League-best figures she already held.
The Strikers’ inconsistent season continued but a weekend at North Sydney Oval changed the momentum. Against the Hurricanes, captain Tahlia McGrath made 93* off 51 balls and against the Thunder, Megan Schutt took WBBL’s first six-wicket haul (6-19) to get Strikers two big wins that helped the Strikers sneak into second place on ladder.
That earned them a home final and the Strikers played the Heat in The Challenger at Karen Rolton Oval. It was a thrilling game, with Bridget Patterson hitting some massive boundaries and finishing 45* off 26 to get the Strikers the win with just two balls spare.
The side travelled to take on the Sydney Sixers in the final. New international recruit Deandra Dottin was best-on-ground in the final, making 52* and taking 2-30.
A superb bowling effort had the Sixers bowled out for 137, 10 runs short of the Strikers tally, with all six Strikers bowlers taking a wicket. The team partied until sunrise near the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Schutt finished the BKT Golden Arm with an equal League-high 23 wickets and she and Wellington (21 wickets) were named in Team of the Tournament. Schutt was also named the Strikers MVP for her contribution to the championship winning team.
Tegan McPharlin announced her retirement from WBBL after the win.
The Strikers’ BBL season got off to an amazing start, going 3-0. They broke a world-record in the second match, bowling the Thunder out for a record low 15 runs. Henry Thornton took 5-3 and Wes Agar took 4-6 and the performance, which featured some stunning catches, went viral around the world.
New Years Eve returned to Adelaide Oval with a bang. Over 40,000 fans finished their year with Strikers and saw a live performance from The Temper Trap.
The side broke another record in BBL|12, this time the highest successful run chase in BBL history. Set 230 runs by the Hurricanes at Adelaide Oval, 27 boundaries were hit. Matt Short carried his bat and hit a four to not only bring up his maiden century, but also the winning runs.
The rest of the season was disappointing, with the Strikers missing out on finals due to their inconsistency which ultimately made it a campaign of missed opportunity.
Matt Short became first Striker to win the Player of the Tournament. He won the BKT Golden Bat award for most runs in the competition with 458, while also taking 11 wickets and seven catches. Short became only the third player to hit 400 runs and take 10 wickets in a BBL season. His season also earned him back-to-back Strikers MVP awards.
Short and Chris Lynn were named in the Team of the Tournament. Lynn scored 416 runs in 11 matches in first Strikers season.