Adelaide Strikers captain vows to 'light up' Adelaide Oval for blockbuster clash
Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath leads a star-studded bowling attack into the blockbuster WBBL clash against Sydney Thunder at Adelaide Oval. SEE SPECIAL TICKET OFFER
This article has been produced in partnership with Cricket Australia and the WBBL ahead of the Adelaide Oval double header on Friday, November 28.
Tahlia McGrath calls it the best ground in the world – and when the Adelaide Strikers return to Adelaide Oval on Friday, the two-time WBBL champions are determined to make it count.
Ten years since the Strikers’ first WBBL match at the iconic venue, the blockbuster clash against the Sydney Thunder is both the Strikers’ only game at Adelaide Oval and the only WBBL 11 fixture nationally to be played at a Tier 1 stadium this season.
And with McGrath leading out a world-class bowling attack up against the Thunder’s explosive batting line-up, the Strikers captain says there’s no doubt elite women’s cricket belongs on Australia’s biggest stages.
Two-for-one tickets are available exclusively for this match at adelaidestrikers.com.au
“Adelaide Oval is the best ground in the world, by far,” McGrath, 30, says. “As soon as the roster gets released, the first thing we do is see if we’ve got any games at Adelaide Oval – and obviously playing against Sydney Thunder is going to be huge for us.”
“There’s always plenty of fans in the stadium supporting us and they’re super loud. It’s just really special when you’re standing on the field and get to look up and see the scoreboard, the hill, the whole picturesque ground. The whole squad is really excited.”
McGrath will spearhead a star-studded attack alongside Australian quicks Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown, with the addition of Sophie Ecclestone, one of the world’s best T20 bowlers and the Strikers’ most significant off-season signing. South African opener Laura Wolvaardt adds firepower with the bat.
“We’ve pretty much got an international bowling line-up,” McGrath says. “Bowling’s always been probably the key to our success, and we’ve added the world’s best T20 bowler.”
After winning back-to-back WBBL titles in 2022/23 and 2023/24, the Strikers are eager to reclaim their position at the top – and McGrath believes Brown, now fully fit, could be the X-factor to light up the Oval this week.
“She’s the type of bowler that brings a lot of fear into batters’ eyes,” she says. “If you can get the ball above 120km an hour, it’s pretty exciting when the ball’s in hand. I hate facing her in the nets – every batter hates facing her – so I’m excited to see her tear up the competition.”
Across the pitch, the Thunder bring plenty of firepower of their own, led by Australian teammates Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll.
“Everyone knows how talented Phoebe Litchfield is. She can take a game away from you in seconds, as can Georgia Voll,” McGrath says. “They’ve got some unbelievable international signings and domestic talent as well, so it’s going to be a really hard-fought battle.”
Off the field, fans can enjoy a K-POP Party pre-match celebration from 6pm, with singalongs, hair braiding, face painting and other fan activations before the first ball.
The Strikers will also stay on the field post-match to meet fans.
“We like to give back as much as possible,” McGrath says. “I’m pretty lucky to do what I do – travel the world, play with and against some of the best players in the world – but for me, coming back, putting on the blue and playing for my home franchise at Adelaide Oval in front of my friends, family and our very loyal home supporters is always really special.”
With world-class talent on both sides and one of the game’s most picturesque settings, the Strikers–Thunder showdown promises to be a blockbuster, and a reminder that the WBBL belongs on the big stage.
“My message to Adelaide fans is simple,” McGrath says. “Get out there and come and experience some women’s Big Bash. It’s, in my opinion, the best franchise league in the world. The talent is unbelievable and you’re going to see a high-quality game of cricket. You’ll certainly be entertained.”
