Kiwis In WBBL04: Destructive Devine
Intriguing times for our Kiwi wahine in Women's Big Bash League 04 as Adelaide Strikers racked up a couple wins, via strong performances from Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates to give them a sniff of finals cricket. We also had Melbourne Renegades in action and while they lost their only game during the week, they are still sitting in 4th; with one eye on the rising Strikers.
Playing two games against Hobart Hurricanes who are rooted to the bottom of the ladder, made this a crucial week for Adelaide. Things started off a wee bit sketchy on Tuesday as they had to go to a 'super over' to defeat the Hurricanes, after the Hurricanes drew level in the run chase. Devine was the star of the show again, hitting 99* off just 53 balls (186.79sr) to take Adelaide up to 189/5 from their 20 overs.
Bates could only manage 6 off 11 and some late fireworks from the Hurricanes saw them take the game to the super over. Devine faltered slightly with the ball, bowling 1ov for 12 runs without a wicket and while Devine's not exactly 'economical' with 9.44rpo - the most expensive of the 26 bowlers who have 10+ wickets - Devine is still averaging 21.30 and would have probably liked to have done better than no wickets @ 12rpo.
These two teams were back at it on Wednesday and the second game saw the Strikers roll out a far more solid performance to win by 24 runs. Batting first, Devine and Bates put up 61 runs before Devine was dismissed for 40 off 26 in the 8th over, then Bates went through until the 12th over to reach 36 off 32. Adelaide eventually made their way to 165/5.
With Devine taking 1w in 2ov @ 7.50rpo, Adelaide were far better with the ball and restricted Hobart to 141/9 in 20ov. Devine and Bates also took a catch each and these two wins took the Strikers to 9 points, good enough for 6th spot on the ladder - ahead of Melbourne Stars via run rate. They now have two games vs Perth Scorchers in a huge weekend for the Strikers as the Scorchers sit in 5th, on 12 points and while they also need to rely on Melbourne Renegades losing to Hobart, then Sydney Sixers (2nd); Adelaide have to get two wins.
In the other game featuring kiwis, Amy Satterthwaite and Lea Tahuhu were defeated by Rachel Priest's Sydney Thunder. This win took the Thunder up into 1st spot and their class was evident in restricting the Renegades to 139/4 in 20ov. Satterthwaite put up 18 off 20 and the kiwi Renegades then did their best in the field as Satterthwaite took a catch and helped in a run out, while Lea Tahuhu took an early wicket to finish with 1w in 4ov @ 5.75rpo.
The Thunder have a powerful batting line up though, led by Priest up the top and she hit 22 off 22 before being dismissed in the 6th over. Sydney went on to win with 5 balls remaining and Satterthwaite was unfortunately whacked for 17 runs off her lone over.
In the last weekend of WBBL04 before finals cricket, we've got the Renegades in action against Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday, then Sydney Sixers on Sunday. Adelaide go back to back vs Perth Scorchers and Priest is in action on Saturday vs Brisbane Heat for the Thunder.
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Peace and love 27.