Image: Adelaide Strikers
History was made on Saturday night when the Adelaide Strikers triumphed over the Sydney Sixers to win their first WBBL title.
More than 6000 fans took to the SCG to see Tahlia McGrath lead her team to a 10-run victory with Deandra Dottin the star of the match hitting 52 not out to recover the side from a poor start at the beginning of their bat.
There wasn’t a dull moment in the match with plenty of twists, turns and even some play delay as players complained of rogue sunlight that caused the game to stop for almost 15 minutes while the sun descended below the stands.
The disruption didn’t seem to affect the Strikers who finished the match by bowling the Sixers out for 137.
After a few years of close calls, including finishing as runners-up last season, the Strikers have finally brought their maiden trophy to SA as the whole state got behind them.
Women’s interest is growing in popularity thanks not only to the incredible role models in the WBBL but also the introduction of programs such as the Little Strikers – a four-week program designed for female players aged between 8-10 years old to sample the skills needed to progress into South Australia’s Strikers Girls Cricket League.
Grange Cricket Club Junior Director Damien Breen says the program is a great way to boost girls confidence.
“We are trying to give the girls an in, into cricket but also giving them the opportunity to meet other girls from the local area who are outside of their normal school or netball friends,” said Breen.
“The program gives the girls another avenue into playing sports with their peers away from the competitiveness of playing against another gender.”
The WBBL will recommence in 2023 with the full fixture yet to be released. For more information, visit the website.
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