AS-W vs SS-W Match Highlights: The Adelaide Strikers have won the WBBL for the first time after defeating the Sydney Sixers on their home field with a superb bowling effort. The Strikers’ fairy tale of atonement after their tragic defeat to the Scorchers in the championship game of the previous season came to an end as it clinched a memorable 10-run victory in front of 6478 spectators at North Sydney Oval.
Deandra Dottin, a Windies all-rounder, was the standout with both the bat and the ball. She scored an unbeaten 52 off 37 balls to lead her team to a total of 7-148 before taking the crucial wickets of Suzie Bates (10) and Ashleigh Gardner (0) to cause a top-order collapse.
The Sixers top-order was in ruins at 4-16 thanks to Australian speedster Brown (2-15) and Dottin (2-30), and despite Ellyse Perry (33) and Nicole Bolton (32) trying to save their pursuit, the Strikers were able to bowl out the Sixers for 138 on the last ball of the innings.
Adelaide Strikers Restricts Sixers for 137 to Win Maiden WBBL Trophy
In the third over, Bridget Patterson and Maddie Penna both took catches to prevent Brown from taking the wicket of Suzie Bates. With her penultimate delivery, though, the Australian fast struck gold for the third time; Penna this time hung onto the catch to remove Alyssa Healy for one.
After Dottin removed Bates (10) and tournament player of the year Ashleigh Gardner (0) in a double-wicket maiden, the Sixers were reduced to 3-13. When Tegan McPharlin fumbled but finally succeeded in stumping Erin Burns (1) off Jemma Barsby’s spin, it changed to 4-16.
Bolton joined Perry, and the two remained steady, bringing the Sixers to 4-43 at the halfway point of the innings, still 105 runs short of their goal. In her final professional game, Bolton displayed her talent, scoring three boundaries in a 60-run partnership with her captain until McGrath rattled her stumps in the 14th over.
With the needed rate edging above 12 an over, Perry’s performance at her favourite arena held the key to the Sixers’ chances. She reaches the boundary in the following over from Brown. She got out on the next ball. The Sixers’ tail was left to perform a miracle. They needed 66 runs in 31 balls at this point.
In her comeback from a back ailment, Maitlan Brown hit a six. But her extremely entertaining 34 off 16 was insufficient as wickets kept falling at the other end.
What happened in the 1st Innings of the WBBL 2022 Finals?
Earlier, after choosing to set the Sixers a target, Dottin took advantage of three opportunities and scored an unbeaten fifty to help the Strikers reach 5-147.
After putting on 51 runs in the first six overs as the openers for the strikers. Katie Mack (31 off 26) and Laura Wolvaardt (15 off 16), Kate Peterson continue their knack for getting big wickets. She got the South African caught at gully chasing a wider delivery.
Later, Mack completed an over under unique circumstances by standing on her own stumps and returning to Sophie Ecclestone’s spin (2-19). The Sixers’ celebrations were cut short when Deandra Dottin was twice caught off no balls on balls five and eight. The first time, off Peterson, she was immediately signaled out, while the second time, off Perry, she was called after a third umpire review.
McGrath blasted the second free throw into the hill for six, but her promising start came to an end when she was caught trying to cross the mid-on boundary on 24 off 21. This was Nicole Bolton’s first wicket of the season.
The Sixers, who eliminate Patterson (7) and Penna (0), the heroes from Thursday’s Challenger final. She won the Power Surge handily while surrendering only seven runs. Dottin, however, increased the stakes by scoring 34 runs from the final three overs, including a huge six into the hill, and reached her half-century with a scoop off the final ball of the innings.
Awards and Accolades at WBBL 2022 Finals
The Player of the Match Award was given to Adelaide Striker’s Deandra Dottin for her 52* (37) with the bat & 2/30 with the ball.
The Player of the Series Award was given to Sydney Sixer’s Allrounder Ashleigh Gardner. She scored 339 runs with the bat and took 23 wickets.
