Adelaide strikers 121 to 7 (Wolffhardt 70*, Cap 2-23) won Sydney Thunder 118 for 7 (Wilson 33, Shutt 2-23) with three runs
The Adelaide Strikers took the lead on the WBBL ladder after opener Laura Wolvaardt’s rescue mission sealed a thrilling three-run win over the Sydney Thunder.
Both sides were 4 for 2 early in their innings as the bat dominated the ball on Cricket Central. Wolfhardt’s level and composure in 70 matches unbeaten proved the difference after sending forwards.
She was bowled in when the wicket fell at the other end before unleashing at the death. The South African star combined with Megan Schutt to take 38 runs from the last three overs and take the defending champions to 121 for 7, with Schutt making 16 runs from her 10 overs.
The Strikers were impressive early on with dangerous Shamari Athapathu dismissed by Gemma Barsby in the first over and Shutt trapping Phoebe Litchfield at deep cover in the second.
The hosts were meandering at 53 for 5 after 14 overs until Talia Wilson (33 off 23) and Sammy Jo Johnson (26 not out from 14) threatened to take their side home.
A crafty last over by spinner Anesu Mushangwe, conceding just five runs, clinched victory and kept the Thunder to 118 for 7. Mushangwe finished with 2 for 24 from four overs.
Australian bowler Darcy Brown returned from a hamstring injury in her first WBBL match of the season and found immediate form as she took 1 for 15 from four overs. I bowled 14 dot balls and left only one boundary.
The Thunder looked good early. Marizan Kapp opened for custom roles. She trapped Katie Mac plumb-pound the first ball of the innings. The South Africa international sneaked the fifth delivery under the bat of Australian star Tahlia McGrath as the visitors took 4 for 2.
The low bounce was used to perfection by the Thunder attack as they put on a brilliant display of stump-to-stump bowling at its best. The strikers were 47 for 4 after 10 overs but Wolfhardt then stepped up to play the only significant innings of the match.
The Strikers raised their score to 18 points after the victory, two points ahead of the Perth Scorchers and three points ahead of the Thunder.
