Cricket

The Adelaide Strikers dealt a significant blow to the Perth Scorchers' WBBL finals aspirations with a commanding 30-run victory at Karen Rolton Oval.The Strikers, who have won the past two WBBL titles, posted a competitive 169 for 6, thanks to contributions from Laura Wolvaardt (41), Smriti Mandhana (41), and Katie Mack (41).The Scorchers' chase got off to a disastrous start as Megan Schutt wreaked havoc with the new ball, dismissing Maddy Darke, Dayalan Hemalatha, and Amy Edgar in quick succession. Beth Mooney and Brooke Halliday attempted to salvage the innings, but the task proved too daunting.Schutt finished with impressive figures of 3 for 19, while Alana King claimed 3 for 29 for the Strikers.The victory lifted the Strikers from the bottom of the ladder to seventh place, while the Scorchers remain in fifth spot with two games remaining. However, the Scorchers' run rate deficit to fourth-placed Hobart Hurricanes makes their finals chances appear slim.

Adelaide Strikers emerged victorious in their WBBL clash against Hobart Hurricanes, securing a 38-run win at Adelaide Oval. The victory snapped a five-match losing streak for the defending champions, who are still placed last in the standings.Madeline Penna played a pivotal role for the Strikers, scoring a crucial 60 off 40 deliveries. Her innings, which included six fours and two sixes, helped the Strikers post a competitive total of 140 for 7.In response, the Hurricanes' batting lineup faltered, with only Elyse Villani (44 off 39) managing to make a significant contribution. Tahlia McGrath, the Strikers' captain, led the bowling attack with an impressive 4 for 13, while Megan Schutt and Anesu Mushangwe chipped in with two wickets each.The Hurricanes' innings collapsed dramatically after they reached 63 for 1 in the ninth over. They lost nine wickets for just 39 runs, handing the Strikers a much-needed victory.Penna expressed her delight after the match, stating, "It's been a long time coming, and it's so good we can get a win. To get it at home in front of our fans is so nice."McGrath also shared her excitement, saying, "It's been a really tough season. We haven't quite been up to our standard, and cricket is a brutal game when you're not at your standards."Despite their victory, the Strikers remain at the bottom of the table with a 2-6 record. However, the win provides a glimmer of hope for the defending champions as they look to salvage something from the season.

Lizelle Lee's consecutive centuries have propelled the Hobart Hurricanes to the top of the WBBL ladder, as they defeated the Adelaide Strikers by 28 runs.Lee, who retired from international cricket last year, has become the first player to score hundreds in back-to-back WBBL matches. Her blistering 103 off 59 deliveries, featuring 13 fours and four sixes, laid the foundation for the Hurricanes' imposing total of 191 for 2.The South African opener's knock came just three days after she smashed an unbeaten 150 against the Perth Scorchers, setting a new WBBL record. Lee's dominance has been remarkable, with her 253 runs from 134 balls in the past two matches including 25 fours and 16 sixes.Nicola Carey provided valuable support with an unbeaten 64 off 46 balls, while skipper Elyse Villani contributed 23 not out from 14 deliveries.The Strikers' chase got off to a promising start thanks to Smriti Mandhana's quickfire innings. However, the Indian star's dismissal in the eighth over proved to be a turning point.Young legspinner Amy Smith stifled the Strikers' momentum in the middle overs, finishing with an impressive 1 for 16 from four overs. South African import Laura Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 63 off 40 balls, but it was not enough to prevent the Hurricanes from securing a comfortable victory.Lee's consecutive centuries have not only propelled the Hurricanes to the top of the standings but have also cemented her status as one of the most destructive batters in the WBBL. Her ability to clear the boundary with ease and her consistency at the crease make her a formidable opponent.The Hurricanes will be hoping that Lee can continue her remarkable form as they aim to secure a berth in the finals. With three matches in hand, they are well-positioned to challenge for the WBBL title.

Sydney Thunder's Georgia Voll has etched her name in the record books with a scintillating 92-run knock, leading her team to a resounding 64-run victory over Adelaide Strikers. The triumph marks Thunder's biggest win in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and their second victory in three matches this season.Voll, who joined Thunder from Brisbane Heat on a three-year deal, seized the opportunity to open the batting and unleashed a barrage of boundaries. Her innings, which included three sixes and 12 fours, propelled Thunder to their highest total of 212 for 5.The 21-year-old shared a 54-run opening stand with Chamari Athapaththu before combining with Phoebe Litchfield for a 96-run partnership off just 52 balls. Litchfield also contributed a valuable 49, showcasing her creative strokeplay with scoops and reverse sweeps.In reply, Adelaide Strikers struggled to keep pace with Thunder's onslaught. Only Katie Mack's 51 provided some resistance, as Shabnim Ismail and Sam Bates wreaked havoc with the ball. Ismail claimed 3 for 18, while Bates returned career-best figures of 4 for 21, dismantling the Strikers' middle and lower order.The result leaves Adelaide with a 1-2 record in the shortened 19-game season, while Thunder have emerged as early contenders with two wins from three matches. Voll's performance has been a revelation, showcasing her potential as a top-order batter and providing a glimpse of what Thunder can achieve this season.

Adelaide Strikers emerged victorious in their WBBL title defense opener, defeating Sydney Sixers by 11 runs at North Sydney Oval. The match was marred by a frightening incident involving Strikers wicketkeeper Bridget Patterson, who was struck in the face by a 119kph delivery.Patterson's injury occurred in the fourth over of the Sixers' chase, when a ball from Darcie Brown kicked up and hit her near the right eye. She was immediately attended to by medical staff and was able to walk off the field after a few minutes. Patterson remained at the ground for the rest of the game and will undergo further assessment.Despite the setback, the Strikers' middle order rallied to post a competitive total of 171. Patterson, Orla Prendergast, and Amanda-Jade Wellington combined for 123 runs off 92 balls, with Wellington particularly impressive, hitting two sixes and three fours in her 40-run knock.In reply, Ellyse Perry dominated the early stages of the chase with a 26-ball fifty, while Sarah Bryce impressed with 62 off 44 balls. However, after Bryce's dismissal, the Sixers innings collapsed, losing six wickets for just 18 runs.Legspinners Wellington and Anesu Mushangwe were instrumental in the Strikers' victory, bowling superbly in the closing overs. Mushangwe finished with figures of 3-27, while Wellington took 2-29.

The tenth season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) is set to commence on Sunday, October 16, with a triple-header featuring reigning champions Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat. The tournament has been reduced to 40 games plus finals to align with the BBL and accommodate the growing women's cricket calendar.Each club will play 10 regular season games, down from 14 last season. The top four teams will qualify for the finals, which will follow a three-game format. The team finishing top will host the final on December 1.The WBBL has introduced several new features this season. A third umpire will be available in every game, and there will be an increase in matches with full DRS. An innings timer will also be in operation, with 73 minutes available to bowl the first ball of the 20th over.Several key players will be on display in the WBBL, including Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, Amelia Kerr, and Deandra Dottin. Litchfield, the youngest full-time captain in WBBL history, will lead Sydney Thunder. Sutherland, who captained Melbourne Stars, is a rising star in Australian cricket. Kerr, the Player-of-the-World Cup, has joined Sydney Sixers from Brisbane Heat. Dottin, who had a brilliant T20 World Cup, will play for Melbourne Renegades.The WBBL is expected to be a competitive and exciting tournament, with several teams vying for the title. Adelaide Strikers will be aiming for a hat-trick of titles, while Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers, and Melbourne Stars will be among the other contenders.

Travis Head, Australia's versatile all-format player, has signed a one-year deal to return to the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. However, his hectic international schedule will limit his availability to a maximum of three games.Head, 30, captained the Strikers to the BBL title in 2017-18 but has not played for the club since the 2022-23 season. His return is a significant boost for the Strikers, who are looking to improve on their disappointing performance last season.However, Head's availability will be limited due to his commitments to the Australian Test team. The upcoming five-match Test series against India, followed by a Test tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy, means he will only be available for three matches on January 11, 15, and 18.The BBL had hoped that Australia's Test stars would be available to give the competition a boost at the back end of this summer's tournament. However, there are concerns over player workload coming out of a gruelling Test series against India and with so little time to prepare for an overseas Test tour in spinning conditions in Sri Lanka.Head's workload has become a key consideration for Australia's selectors and coaching staff since he became an all-format player in the last 12 months. There were concerns over his decision to play in the recent Major League Cricket tournament in July, which came on the back of a busy period of playing that included the ODI World Cup, five home Tests, a T20I and Test tour of New Zealand, the IPL, and the T20 World Cup.Head is being rested from the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, partly due to the upcoming birth of his second child. But his decision to add some BBL cricket in January means his next decent break will likely have to wait until after the Champions Trophy in February and March.New Strikers coach Tim Paine is aware of Head's workload but was keen to have him play some BBL matches. "We understand Trav has a hectic international schedule," Paine said. "But we also know how much he loves getting back in the blue whenever the chance arises and we look forward to our fans being treated to more of his magic this summer."

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has once again showcased his witty side on social media, this time poking fun at a spinner's hilarious delivery. Paine, who was recently appointed as the head coach of the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season, shared a video on Twitter of a spinner hilariously botching a delivery, with the ball slipping out of his hand and falling far short of the pitch.The video, originally posted by @SENTassie, joked about the Strikers' potential interest in the hapless spinner, stating, "We’ve heard the Strikers have committed to selecting this world-class spinner with their pick." Paine joined in the fun, quipping, "If only we had some space left in the salary cap for this mystery spinner."Paine's appointment as the head coach of the Strikers marks the latest step in his rapid ascent through the coaching ranks. After serving as an assistant to Jason Gillespie last season, Paine was named head coach following Gillespie's departure. His new role will see him leading a Strikers team that has shown great promise, particularly with their strong finish to the last BBL season, where they secured a spot in the finals.Paine's light-hearted approach on social media contrasts with his serious commitment to his coaching duties. He has already been active in the development of young talent, including his involvement with NT Strike in the Top End T20 series and his previous stint as an assistant coach for Australia A.As Paine prepares to lead the Strikers into BBL14, fans can expect a blend of his cricketing acumen and his characteristic humour, both on and off the field. Paine's appointment as head coach is a testament to his dedication to the sport and his ability to connect with players and fans alike.

Defending Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) champions Adelaide Strikers have secured the services of Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana for the upcoming season. Mandhana, who has previously represented Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, and Sydney Thunder in the WBBL, will be the Strikers' pre-draft signing.Mandhana's signing is a major coup for the Strikers, who have been keen to acquire her for several seasons. The left-handed opener is one of the most prolific batters in the world, having captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) title earlier this year.During her stint with Sydney Thunder in 2021, Mandhana showcased her exceptional batting prowess by smashing an unbeaten 114 off just 64 balls against Melbourne Renegades. This innings remains the joint second-highest individual score in WBBL history.Strikers head coach Luke Williams, who also coached Mandhana at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, expressed his delight at her signing. "Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers," Williams said. "Her technical skill, experience, and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us."Mandhana's arrival could further strengthen the Strikers' already formidable top order, which includes South African captain Laura Wolvaardt. However, if Mandhana is allocated as the Strikers' first-round platinum player, they will not be able to use their retention rights for Wolvaardt in the same round.Ahead of the WBBL draft on September 1, the Strikers have also made a pick trade with Melbourne Renegades, acquiring picks 22 and 27 in exchange for picks 19 and 30. The Strikers now hold pick 6 in the first round and pick 14 in the second round.Other notable pre-draft signings in the WBBL include Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes), Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades), Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars), Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers), Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), and Chamari Athapaththu (Sydney Thunder).