Fluent performances from the top three and a lethal new-ball spell from Megan Scutt (3-19) powered Adelaide Strikers to a comfortable 30-run win over Perth Scorchers. The defending champions are already out of the tournament but these consolation wins will impact teams who are in the playoff race like the Scorchers. On a wonderful batting pitch at Karen Rolton Oval, the Strikers ran fast through Smriti Mandhana (41 off 29) and Katie Mack (41 off 34) who stitched a fluent 81-run partnership to put direct pressure on the Scorchers. of. ,

Later she was as trigger-happy as ever at the crease, making use of the pace of the bowlers. It gave the strikers an early boost before Mandhana took charge with her brand of crisp strokeplay. Both batsmen fell relatively quickly as the Scorchers tried to pull things together. Laura Wolvaardt (48 off 28) made a slow start, but Tahlia McGrath (18 off 14) maintained the pace with a few sixes before the skipper was out in a power surge. It was then that Wolvaardt hit top gear with consecutive sixes off Chloe Ainsworth to increase the pace.

Scorchers captain Sophie Devine (2-28) was brilliant and along with Alanna King ensured that the last two overs were played at an economical pace. The striker, who was once aiming for more than 180, fell just shy of 170. It seemed a sub-par total for this venue, but Striker’s bowling line-up ultimately showed glimpses of the skill that has seen them win in the past two seasons. Of WBBL. Schutt made it better by dismissing Maddy Darke and Daylan Hemalatha in her first two overs. The Scorchers improved with the promotion of Amy Edgar but Shute’s cleverness was too much for them.

Things got worse for the visitors as Beth Mooney departed the side at 17/4 in the final over of the powerplay. Devine (35 off 31) and WBBL debutant Brooke Halliday (47 off 44) tried to improve the innings, but could not get the desired momentum to chase the target. It wasn’t long before the partnership broke down and Devine fell while trying to hit out. Halliday tried a little more but without much success. Alanna King (29* off 19) produced a cameo at the end to ensure the margin of defeat was not as large as it threatened to be. At the final stage of this tournament. Net run rate could be a factor for the Scorchers.

Brief Score: Adelaide Strikers 169/6 in 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 48, Smriti Mandhana 41; Alana King 3-29, Sophie Devine 2-28) beat Perth Scorchers 139/8 in 20 overs (Brooke Halliday 47, Sophie Devine 35; Megan Shutt 3)-19, Amanda-Jade Wellington 2-26) by 30 runs