WBBL: Adelaide Strikers turn the tables on Perth Scorchers in rematch

There’s nothing like avenging a grand final loss and the Adelaide Stirkers get to enjoy that feeling.

The Adelaide Strikers are flying after another victory. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Revenge was more than sweet, it was sublime for the Adelaide Strikers as a double-edged bowling sword showed their WBBL dominance to dismantle the Perth Scorchers in a rematch of last year’s decider.

The tears which flowed last season’s narrow 12-run loss were replaced by cheers as Wellington and teen speedster Darcie Brown kept the big Perth bats at bay before Katie Mack defied some middle-order wobbles to secure an emphatic six-wicket win.

Wellington, who equalled the best ever figures in the WBBL earlier this week when she snared 5-8, was a miserly wicket-taker at Allan Border field, her four overs returning 2-13, to take her to equal top of the wicket-taking table with Brown, who finished with 2-18.

It’s familiar territory for the leg-spinner Wellington, who took more wickets than anyone last season and this time got one over her rival for a place in the Australian team.

National selectors have preferred fellow-leggie Alana King in recent internationals, but through the early stages of the WBBL, Wellington has her nose in front of their dual. King went wicketless on Friday and has claimed just six in her five games this season.

These legends are sharing the BKT Golden Arm after another awesome performance with the ball today 👏#WBBL08#StrikeShowpic.twitter.com/mR1vClh4SL

— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) October 28, 2022

Chasing just 112 to win after the brilliant bowling effort kept the reigning champions to just 5-111 from a full 20 overs, the Strikers raced out of the blocks, then nearly bottled it.

When Perth spinner Lilly Mills, who only had two wickets going in to the game, ran through the middle order in quick fashion, the Strikers went from 0-51 to 4-60 in just 10 mad balls.

But last year’s runners-up would not be denied chasing such a small total and a brilliant 52-run stand from Mack (47 not out) and Penna (32 not out from just 23 balls) sealed the deal without losing another wicket, and with nine balls to spare.

In even better news for Adelaide the win, a fourth in a row after starting the season with two losses, propelled them above the Scorchers on the table in to top spot ahead of a weekend full of games.

Originally published as WBBL: Adelaide Strikers turn the tables on Perth Scorchers in rematch