Brisbane defy Devine, Adelaide to defend WBBL trophy

The win meant Brisbane defended the title they won last year, and are the joint most successful side in the tournament’s history, alongside Sydney Sixers, with two each.

Brisbane managed to keep Adelaide to 161/7 after putting them in to bat, crucially getting the wicket of Sophie Devine early. Thereafter, with Beth Mooney scoring a half-century, Brisbane went through the chase with 11 balls to spare.

The wicket of Devine in the very second over of the day perhaps had a psychological effect on both sides; Devine has set the tournament alight with nine half-centuries so far, but her early loss meant the Strikers, for the first time in a long time this season, had to look elsewhere for runs.

Suzie Bates (27 off 24) and Tahlia McGrath (33 off 20) revived the innings after the early loss, but their dismissals in consecutive overs left the Strikers at 67/3 in the ninth over. The runs slowed down thereafter, and with Katie Mack (6) and Bridget Patterson (12) struggling, the burden of scoring fell on Amanda-Jade Wellington.

Wellington did an exceptional job, scoring a fine 33-ball 55 to boost the total to a defendable margin – she was the last wicket to fall in the innings, running out attempting that extra run off the final ball. However, despite her efforts, Brisbane were still confident of chasing down the target at home.

Mooney played the containing role at one end, while the likes of Maddy Green (11 off 9) and Sammy-Jo Johnson (27 off 11) looked for the big hits. The strategy worked well, and Brisbane could put on solid partnerships, with Jess Jonassen later joining Mooney for the third wicket, putting on 67 important runs.

There were quick wickets, when both Jonassen and Grace Harris fell within three overs, but Laura Harris came in the end and scored a 11-ball 19*, including the winning runs, to seal another famous triumph for Brisbane.