The Adelaide Strikers have stormed home with the ball to claim an 11-run win against the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval on Tuesday night.
The win was set-up by a brilliant 40 (16) from Amanda-Jade Wellington, before Megan Schutt and Anesu Mushangwe did the damage with the ball to restrict the Sixers in the final four overs.
Lauren Cheatle got the home side off to the perfect start, removing Katie Mack in the first over. Laura Wolvaardt then took a liking to Sophie Ecclestone, smashing a six back down the ground, followed by a couple of fours, as the Strikers took 15 runs from the second over.
Maddie Penna was dismissed first ball, and when Ellyse Perry removed Tahlia McGrath, the visitors found themselves in trouble at 3-22.
Wolvaardt and Bridget Patterson set about resurrecting the innings, but it was Perry again, taking a tough caught and bowled to remove the South African international.
Orla Prendergast joined Patterson and looked to bat with intent, as the pair took the score to 4-72 from the first 10 overs.
The pair combined for a 54-run partnership, before Patterson skied one to mid-off for a well-made 44 (32 balls).
That’s when the fireworks began, Wellington’s swashbuckling innings included six fours and two sixes, as she powered the Strikers to a very respectable total of 171.
Darcie Brown was on the money early, clean bowling Hollie Armitage on her way to a wicket maiden.
The Strikers couldn’t make the most of a couple of chances from Perry, as she reached the boundary effortlessly, bringing up her half century from 26 balls.
Brown hit back with the wicket of Perry, caught by Katie Mack in the deep, as the visitors clawed their way back into the contest.
Mushangwe then bowled Ash Gardner for a duck, but Sydney continued to dig in, as the required rate reached 10 an over from the final six overs.
A 16-run 16th over saw Sarah Bryce reach her fifty and put the Sixers in the box seat, but a Schutt yorker changed the momentum again, dismissing Bryce for 62.
Mushangwe then broke through twice in the 18th over to reduce the home side to 6-153, before Schutt and Wellington sealed a remarkable victory for the Strikers.
In other good news, a preliminary examination on Bridget Patterson is positive. Further tests may be required.
The Strikers’ next game is against Sydney Thunder at North Sydney Oval on Friday with the first ball commencing at 3.15pm ACDT.