The Adelaide Strikers will head into WBBL|10 aiming to be the first team to win back-to-back-to-back titles in the history of the competition.
Having lost the WBBL|07 decider by just 12 runs, the Strikers were triumphant in WBBL|08 and WBBL|09 to become the third team to win successive titles.
Led by star allrounder Tahlia McGrath and with the inclusion of key overseas signings, the Strikers will be out to make WBBL history this season.
One of the biggest signings of WBBL|10 is Indian cricket sensation Smriti Mandhana. The dynamic opening batter will bring a wealth of international experience and class to the top of the order.
The Strikers also picked up Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast during the Weber WBBL draft, while South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt was retained and will return for a fifth season in blue. Wolvaardt has been a consistent performer since joining in 2020, amassing more than 1,500 runs for the Strikers to date.
The Strikers line-up is littered with talent all over the field, headlined by Cricket Australia contracted trio McGrath, Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown.
Schutt and Brown will bring firepower at the top of the innings with the ball, while McGrath’s skilful bowling and power hitting will be crucial to Adelaide’s fortunes this season.
Katie Mack (452 runs) topped the Strikers’ run-scoring list in WBBL|09, followed by Wolvaardt, McGrath and Bridget Patterson who will all be looking to make their mark on WBBL|10.
Maddie Penna will set out to emulate the wonderful century she made in the T20 Spring Challenge earlier this month, while young gun Ellie Johnston will hope to showcase her scintillating WNCL form.
Gun leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington (23 wickets) was brilliant last season and will look to partner strongly with fellow spinners Jemma Barsby and Anesu Mushangwe through the middle overs.
It could also be the first time the Strikers unveil promising young talents Eleanor Larosa and Maggie Clark.
With a perfect blend of youth, experience, and new talent, the Strikers have the depth and firepower to challenge for an unprecedented third title in a row.
Adelaide Strikers will host Brisbane Heat in the season-opener of WBBL|10 at Adelaide Oval from 1.10pm on Sunday 27 October.
Adelaide Strikers Squad:
Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Maggie Clark, Ellie Johnston, Eleanor Larosa, Katie Mack, Smriti Mandhana, Tahlia McGrath (c), Anesu Mushangwe, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Orla Prendergast, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt