An unbeaten half century from Adelaide Strikers skipper Tahlia McGrath wasn’t enough, as the Brisbane Heat secured a four-wicket victory in the WBBL|10 season-opener.
Having lost the bat flip and being sent into bat, the Strikers lost Laura Wolvaardt early before Katie Mack and Maddie Penna set about making the most of the powerplay.
An unfortunate mix-up resulted in Penna being run out for 13, bringing McGrath to the crease to join Mack.
The two consolidated to reach 2-59 from 10 overs, before the skipper put her foot down smashing two fours and a six to end the 11th over.
Mack passed 2,500 career WBBL runs and then was dismissed by Jess Jonassen for a well-made 37.
McGrath continued on her way as the Strikers brought 100 up in the 15th over. Orla Prendergast smashed two boundaries but was dismissed on the last delivery of the power surge, as the Strikers stumbled to 5-117 with 12 balls remaining.
McGrath brought up for half century from 40 balls with five fours and a six, as the Strikers reached 5-133.
The Heat began brightly, reaching 0-28 from the first three overs, before Maddie Penna lifted the Adelaide Oval crowd with a brilliant run out from the boundary.
Grace Harris looked dangerous, and it took a piece of individual brilliance from Jemma Barsby to remove her caught and bowled for 29.
Prendergast then bowled Lauren Windfield-Hill to reduce the visitors to 3-58, but Jonassen and Charli Knott steadied to bring up the Heat’s 100 in the 14th over.
Knott took a liking to pace on the ball, smashing an unbeaten 44 from 30 balls including five fours and a six, as the Heat ran away winners with 12 balls remaining.