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The Brisbane Heat have won back to back WBBL titles after a comfortable win over the Adelaide Strikers at Allan Border Field in Brisbane this afternoon.
The Strikers suffered a blow early when Sophie Devine skied to third man and was out for 5. Both Tahlia McGrath and Suzie Bates got starts but neither would go on to find a big score.
It was left to Amanda Wellington and Tegan McPharlin to post a total and Wellington’s 55 helped to them to a reasonably competitive total.
In response, the Heat got off to a flier with Beth Mooney leading from the front.
Sammy-Jo Johnson then took a liking to the grandstand roof with four sixes off one Sophie Devine over.
Although she was out shortly after, the damage was done. Mooney with an unbeaten 56no and Jess Jonassen with 33 guided the Heat close to the target before Laura Harris finished it off for a six-wicket win.
The difference in this one was that the Heat’s big-name players in Beth Mooney and Jess Jonassen stood up whereas Sophie Devine could not repeat her brilliant form in the final.
The Strikers were also well below their best in the field and a number of missed chances were punished.
However, take nothing away from the Heat. They play an aggressive style of cricket and the loss of wickets doesn’t slow them down. They are now the benchmark of the WBBL and will be difficult to topple again next year.
Final score
Adelaide Strikers 7/161
Brisbane Heat 4/162
After a WBBL season which has had it all, we crown a winner this afternoon when the Adelaide Strikers play the Brisbane Heat at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. Play starts at 2:40pm AEDT. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match.
The Adelaide Strikers took their place in the final following a convincing win over the Perth Scorchers yesterday.
Batting first, the Scorchers lost three wickets in the power play, the most important being Meg Lanning caught at point off the bowling of Sophie Devine.
Georgia Redmayne and Jemma Barsby fought hard to post a 7/126 total, perhaps 20 short of a par total.
Despite losing Suzie Bates early in a run out, the result never really looked in doubt. Devine finished undefeated on 65 after 46 balls while Tahlia McGrath made a well compiled 36. Devine has continued her player of the tournament form in the finals.
The Strikers will play the Brisbane Heat in the final, after they beat the Melbourne Renegades in a high scoring second semi final.
4/163 seemed enough for the Renegades, after Josie Dooley scored her maiden half century and Jess Duffin was again amongst the runs with 44.
However, despite some late stumbles, the Heat chased down the target with 12 balls to spare. Maddy Green, Jess Jonassen and Grace Harris all had fast scoring cameos to get the job done.
Prediction
This is probably the WBBL final that everyone had hoped for, a clash between two in-form teams.
A lot will depend on Sophie Devine, and she will need to go big if the Strikers are to win.
For me, the Heat have a depth in their batting order that no other team has. They will go back to back.
Heat to win by 20 runs or 4 wickets
When: 2.40pm AEDT
TV: Fox Cricket, Channel 7
Adelaide Strikers
Suzie Bates (c), Sophie Devine, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Katie Mack, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Tegan McPharlin (wk), Annie O’Neil, Sarah Coyte, Megan Schutt, Alex Price
Brisbane Heat
Kirby Short (c), Beth Mooney, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Maddy Green, Mikayla Hinkley, Delissa Kimmince, Laura Harris, Amelia Kerr, Georgia Prestwidge
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