Strikers back in WBBL final after downing Heat
The Adelaide Strikers have won their way through to the WBBL grand final after downing the butterfingered Brisbane Heat by six wickets in an injury and drama-filled Challenger clash.
Bridget Patterson and Maddie Penna of the Adelaide Strikers celebrate reaching the WBBL final. Photo: AAP Image/Matt Turner
In reply to Brisbane’s 8-154 in Adelaide on Thursday night, the Strikers won with two balls to spare after a heroic knock from Bridget Patterson (45no off 26 balls) and ice-cool composure from Madeline Penna (11no off 10 balls).
The result thrusts the Strikers into Saturday night’s grand final against the ladder-topping Sydney Sixers in Sydney.
The Strikers lost last season’s decider to the Perth Scorchers, and they’ll be aiming to go one better this time around to snare their first title.
Brisbane only had themselves to blame for the loss, dropping three clear-cut catches in the field and missing a stock-standard stumping opportunity.
Courtney Sippel dropped Laura Wolvaardt (47 off 45 balls) in the deep twice – when the batter was on 17 and 21.
Reserve wicketkeeper Ellie Johnston fumbled a stumping chance when Wolvaardt was on 45.
Patterson was on just 17 when she was grassed by Amelia Kerr.
“I just think it’s my lucky day,” Wolvaardt told Fox Cricket after the win.
“I had three or four catches (put down) and the missed stumping. I think I’ll buy a lottery ticket after this.
“It was a little bit close for comfort at the end there, but I’m glad we got over the line.”
The Heat’s sloppy fielding came amidst a bizarre cricket injury, with star wicketkeeper Georgia Redmayne appearing to damage either her calf or Achilles tendon while celebrating a wicket.
After taking a catch to remove the dangerous Deandra Dottin for 39, Redmayne took off to celebrate with her teammates but immediately crumpled to the turf.
A confused Redmayne looked at the ground to see what had hit her – only to realise that the pain had been caused by either her Achilles or calf tearing.
Redmayne, who had only returned from a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s Eliminator, limped off and played no further part in the match.
The Strikers needed 27 off the last 13 balls, and Patterson produced a series of clutch shots to get the equation down to nine off the last over.
Penna then struck Kerr for two boundaries to seal the win.
Earlier, Laura Harris produced another big-hitting display to lift the Heat to a competitive total.
Harris cracked 44 off 14 balls in Wednesday night’s elimination final win over the Hobart Hurricanes, and she followed it up with 33 off 14 balls against the Strikers.
Kerr top-scored for the Heat with 43 off 32 balls, with Grace Harris chipping in with 23.
