Adelaide Strikers kept their finals hopes alive with a thrilling six-wicket victory over Brisbane Heat, who now face the prospect of a winless WBBL season.
Chasing 150, Strikers were anchored by Tammy Beaumont (64) and Laura Wolvaardt (49), the English duo showcasing aggressive strokeplay to set the platform. Wolvaardt’s timing and Beaumont’s power over midwicket and long-on kept the scoreboard ticking in a tense chase.
The equation came down to 14 runs off the last over, but Tahlia McGrath and Ellie Johnston held their nerve to guide the Strikers home with two balls to spare. McGrath also starred with the ball, taking 3 for 27, while Elanor Larosa and Amanda-Jade Wellington chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Brisbane Heat struggled without key players Jess Jonassen and Jemimah Rodrigues, and lost Nicola Hancock to a hamstring injury late in the innings. Apart from de Klerk (25), Knott (27), and Hancock (22), the batting lineup failed to build momentum, leaving the Heat searching for their first win of the season.
The victory moves Adelaide Strikers to fifth, while Heat are now firmly in danger of claiming the wooden spoon in the WBBL’s 11th season.
