Adelaide Strikers (WBBL) explained

The Adelaide Strikers (WBBL) are an Australian women's Twenty20 cricket team based in North Adelaide, South Australia. They compete in the Women's Big Bash League, and won their first championship in WBBL08.

History

Formation

One of eight founding WBBL teams, the Adelaide Strikers are aligned with the men's team of the same name.^[1] At the official WBBL launch on 10 July 2015, Megan Schutt was unveiled as the team's first-ever player signing.^[2] Andrea McCauley was appointed as the Strikers' inaugural coach, while Lauren Ebsary became the team's inaugural captain.^{[3] [4]}

The Strikers played their first match on 12 December at Aurora Stadium against the Hobart Hurricanes, losing by two runs.^[5] Their first win came on 20 December at Allan Border Field against the Sydney Thunder, chasing down a target of 149 runs with six wickets in hand and six balls to spare.^[6]

Rivalries

Perth Scorchers

In the league's early years, the Strikers and the Perth Scorchers experienced several instances of senior members switching allegiances:

• Inaugural Strikers captain Lauren Ebsary joined the Scorchers after just one season.^{[7] [8]}
• Former Scorchers captain Suzie Bates moved to the Strikers ahead of WBBL|03 and became the first player to lead two WBBL clubs.^{[9] [10]}
• After scoring the most runs for Perth throughout WBBL|01, Charlotte Edwards transferred to Adelaide in her final year of cricket.^[11] The following season, Edwards assumed an assistant coaching role for the Strikers.^[12]
• Ahead of WBBL|06, former Adelaide all-rounder Shelley Nitschke was appointed to the position of head coach for the Scorchers.^{[13] [14]}

Noteworthy matches between the two teams include:

• 13 January 2018, Traeger Park: In a match reduced to 16 overs per side due to a rain delay, the Scorchers could only muster a first innings score of 9/87. In the run chase, Suzie Bates played a lone hand of 49 not out to help the Strikers win by six wickets with one ball to spare.
• 9 November 2019, Karen Rolton Oval: An innings of 80 runs from 58 deliveries by Amy Jones helped Perth post a total of 3/173. Despite a slow start to the run chase, Adelaide finished strongly with Bridget Patterson scoring 60 off 32 balls. However, Heather Graham conceded just a single off the final ball to give the Scorchers a two-run win.
• 7 December 2019, Allan Border Field: In the WBBL|05 semi-finals, the Strikers comfortably reached the required total of 127 with eight wickets in hand and eleven balls remaining to eliminate the Scorchers from the tournament.

Brisbane Heat

Noteworthy matches between the Strikers and the Brisbane Heat include:

• 21 January 2017, The Gabba: Chasing a modest total of 6/127, the Strikers required three runs for victory with two balls remaining. Brisbane medium-pacer Deandra Dottin then bowled Tegan McPharlin before conceding two runs off the final delivery to force a tie. In the resulting super over, Dottin–who had earlier scored 51 runs with the bat–capped off a dominant all-round performance by taking two wickets and limiting Adelaide to just four runs. Beth Mooney scored the winning runs to secure the Heat's first finals appearance.^{[15] [16] [17]}
• 8 December 2019, Allan Border Field: In the WBBL|05 final, the Heat gained early ascendancy through quick bowler Georgia Prestwidge, who dismissed Player of the Tournament Sophie Devine for just five. A "superb"^[18] knock of 55 runs from 33 balls by Amanda-Jade Wellington helped the Strikers to recover to a competitive score of 7/161. The match swung heavily toward Brisbane's favour in the fifth over of the run chase when Sammy-Jo Johnson hit four sixes against the bowling of Devine, though Johnson would be out caught-and-bowled on the last ball of the over. When Devine returned to bowl the eleventh over of the innings, Heat batter Jess Jonassen was dropped by Wellington at extra cover. Jonassen then scored a boundary from each of the next three deliveries she faced, taking Brisbane's required scoring rate down to less than a run a ball.^[19] The Heat went on to win with six wickets in hand and eleven balls remaining, claiming their second consecutive championship. For her contribution of 56 not out, Beth Mooney was named Player of the Final.^[20]

Captaincy records

There have been five captains in the Strikers' history, including matches featuring an acting captain.

Captain	Span		Won	Lost	Tied
Lauren Ebsary	2015–2016	14	6	8	0	0	42.86
Tegan McPharlin	2016–2017	14	3	9	0	2	25
Suzie Bates	2017–2020	46	24	21	0	1	53.33
Megan Schutt	2020–2022	15	8	6	0	1	57.14
Tahlia McGrath	2021–2024	56	32	21	0	4	61.54

Source:^[21]

Season summaries

Season			Finals	Coach	Captain	Most Runs	Most Wickets		Refs
2015–16	6–8	7th	DNQ		Lauren Ebsary	Sarah Taylor – 393	Sarah Coyte – 14	Sarah Taylor	[22] [23] [24]
2016–17	3–9	8th	DNQ	Andrea McCauley		Sophie Devine – 270	Megan Schutt – 13	Megan Schutt	[25] [26] [27]
2017–18	8–6	4th	SF	Andrea McCauley	Suzie Bates	Suzie Bates – 434		Sophie Devine	[28] [29] [30]
2018–19	5–8	6th	DNQ	Andrea McCauley	Suzie Bates	Sophie Devine – 556	Sophie Devine – 14	Sophie Devine	[31] [32] [33]
		2nd	RU	Luke Williams	Suzie Bates		Coyte, Devine – 19	Sophie Devine*	[34] [35] [36]
	6–7	6th	DNQ	Luke Williams	Suzie Bates		Sarah Coyte – 18	Sarah Coyte	[37] [38] [39]
	7–6	4th	RU	Luke Williams	Tahlia McGrath	Katie Mack – 513		Katie Mack	[40] [41] [42]
	8–5	2nd	C	Luke Williams			Megan Schutt – 27*	Megan Schutt	[43] [44] [45]
	11–3	1st	C	Luke Williams			Amanda-Jade Wellington – 23*	Megan Schutt
	3–6	7th	DNQ	Luke Williams	Tahlia McGrath	Tahlia McGrath – 222	Megan Schutt – 13		[46] [47]

Legend

DNQ	Did not qualify	SF	Semi-finalists		Led the league
EF	Lost the Eliminator	RU	Runners-up	^	League record
CF	Lost the Challenger	C	Champions

Home grounds

Venue	Games hosted by season
01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	Total
Adelaide Oval	2	3	4	2	–	N/A	4	–	2	2	19
Adelaide Oval No. 2	3	–	–	–	–		–	–	–	–	3
Albrecht Oval	–	–	–	2	–		–	–	–	–	2
Centennial Park Oval	–	–	–	–	1		–	1	–	–	2
Glenelg Oval	–	2	4	–	–		–	–	–	–	6
Karen Rolton Oval	–	–	–	3	4		4	5	4	2	22
Traeger Park	–	–	2	–	–		–	–	–	–	2

Current squad

^[48]

• Players with international caps are listed in bold.

No.	Name		Birth date	Batting style	Bowling style	Notes
Batters
2			14 September 1993	Right-handed
11			30 August 2000	Right-handed
14	Laura Wolvaardt		26 April 1999	Right-handed	–	Overseas Draft Pick (Platinum)
18	Smriti Mandhana		18 July 1996	Left-handed		Overseas Draft Pick (Silver)
All-rounders
4			4 October 1995	Left-handed
9	Tahlia McGrath		10 November 1995	Right-handed		Captain
35			26 November 2005	Left-handed
84	Orla Prendergast		1 June 2002	Right-handed		Overseas Draft Pick (Bronze)
Wicket-keeper
21			12 April 1994	Right-handed	–
77			29 January 2003	Right-handed
Bowlers
7			15 March 2007	Left-handed
10	Amanda-Jade Wellington		29 May 1997	Right-handed
20	Darcie Brown		7 March 2003	Right-handed
27	Megan Schutt		15 January 1993	Right-handed
61	Anesu Mushangwe		25 February 1996	Right-handed

Players

Australian representatives

The following is a list of cricketers who have played for the Strikers after making their debut in the national women's team (the period they spent as both a Strikers squad member and an Australian-capped player is in brackets):

Associate rookies

Statistics and awards

Team stats

• • Champions: 2 – WBBL08, WBBL09 Runners-up: 2 – WBBL05, WBBL07
• Minor premiers

1 – WBBL09

• Win–loss record:

Opposition		Won	Lost	Tied
Brisbane Heat	24	10	14	0	0	41.67
Hobart Hurricanes	20	13	5	0	2	72.22
Melbourne Renegades	21	9	11	0	1	45
Melbourne Stars	19	9	9	0	1	50
Perth Scorchers	21	13	7	0	1	65
Sydney Sixers	21	9	12	0	0	42.86
Sydney Thunder	19	10	7	0	2	58.82
Total	145	73	65	0	7	52.90

• Highest score in an innings: 5/189 (20 overs) vs Hobart Hurricanes, 8 January 2019
• Highest successful chase: 4/169 (20 overs) vs Perth Scorchers, 5 November 2023
• Lowest successful defence: 7/107 (20 overs) vs Perth Scorchers, 14 January 2018
• Largest victory:
  • By runs: 148 runs vs Melbourne Stars, 21 October 2023
  • By wickets: 9 wickets vs Melbourne Renegades, 25 November 2021
  • By balls remaining: 58 balls remaining vs Sydney Sixers, 20 November 2021
• Longest winning streak: 6 matches
• Longest losing streak: 8 matches

Source:^[49]

Individual stats

• Most runs: Tahlia McGrath – 2,349
• Highest score in an innings: Sophie Devine – 103 (48) vs Hobart Hurricanes, 26 December 2016
• Highest partnership: Katie Mack (cricketer) and Laura Wolvaardt – 135 vs Melbourne Stars, 21 October 2023
• Most wickets: Amanda-Jade Wellington – 157
• Best bowling figures in an innings: Megan Schutt – 6/19 (3.3 overs) vs Sydney Thunder, 20 November 2022
• Hat-tricks taken: Darcie Brown vs Brisbane Heat, 24 October 2021^[50]
• Most catches (fielder): Bridget Patterson – 52
• Most dismissals (wicket-keeper): Tegan McPharlin – 91 (51 catches, 40 stumpings)

Source:

Individual awards

• Player of the Match:
  • Sophie Devine – 15
  • Tahlia McGrath – 10
  • Katie Mack - 7
  • Darcie Brown, Bridget Patterson, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt – 5
  • Sarah Coyte and Megan Schutt – 4
  • Suzie Bates and Madeline Penna – 3
  • Deandra Dottin, Lauren Ebsary, Tegan McPharlin, Anesu Mushangwe, Alex Price, Tabatha Saville, Sarah Taylor, and Stafanie Taylor – 1
• WBBL Player of the Tournament: Sophie Devine – WBBL05
• WBBL Team of the Tournament:
  • Sophie Devine (4) – WBBL02, WBBL03, WBBL04, WBBL05
  • Darcie Brown (2) – WBBL06, WBBL07
  • Megan Schutt (2) – WBBL|05, WBBL08
  • Amanda-Jade Wellington (2) – WBBL|07, WBBL|08, WBBL09
  • Sarah Coyte – WBBL|06
  • Tahlia McGrath – WBBL|07
  • Katie Mack – WBBL|09
• WBBL Young Gun Award: Darcie Brown – WBBL06

Sponsors

Year	Kit Manufacturer	Chest Sponsor	Back Sponsor	Breast Sponsor	Sleeve Sponsor
2015–16	Majestic	Rebel	Websters Lawyers	Websters Lawyers	Websters Lawyers
2016–17			Statewide Super		Rebel
2017–18				Vodafone
2018–19		Vodafone	People's Choice	Statewide Super
2019–20
2020–21
2021–22	Nike	Oval Hotel	Oval Hotel	People's Choice

See also

• South Australian Cricket Association
• South Australian Scorpions

Notes and References

1. Web site: Eight teams announced for Women's BBL. 10 December 2016.
2. Web site: Major signings unveiled at WBBL launch. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-05-15.
3. Web site: Stars sign on for WBBL01. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-05-15.
4. Web site: Ebsary to lead inaugural Strikers squad. Adelaide Strikers. en. 2020-05-15.
5. Web site: Harris hundred highlights second week of WBBL ESPNcricinfo.com. espncricinfo.com. 17 December 2015 . en. 2020-05-15.
6. Web site: Taylor shines as Strikers secure first win. Adelaide Strikers. en. 2020-05-15.
7. Web site: WBBL: All you need to know. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-05-15.
8. Web site: Ebsary Calls Stumps On WBBL Career. Perth Scorchers. en. 2020-05-15.
9. Web site: Scorchers star defects to Strikers. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-05-15.
10. Web site: NZ captain to lead Strikers in WBBL03. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-05-15.
11. Web site: England star Edwards joins Strikers WBBL. SBS News. en. 2020-05-15.
12. Web site: Edwards to return to Adelaide in coaching role. Adelaide Strikers. en. 2020-05-15.
13. Web site: Strikers lure Nitschke out of retirement for WBBL. Adelaide Strikers. en. 2020-05-15.
14. Web site: Nitschke To Lead Scorchers Women Next Season. Perth Scorchers. en. 2020-05-15.
15. Web site: Strikers v Heat Super Over. Adelaide Strikers. en. 2020-05-15.
16. Web site: Get Ball by Ball Commentary of Brisbane Heat Women vs Adelaide Strikers Women 53rd Match 2017 ESPNcricinfo.com. espncricinfo.com. en. 2020-05-15.
17. News: 2017-01-21. Big Bash League: Semi-final line-ups decided for men & women. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2020-05-15.
18. Web site: Recent Match Report - Adelaide Strikers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women Final 2019 ESPNcricinfo.com. espncricinfo.com. en. 2020-05-15.
19. Web site: Get Ball by Ball Commentary of Adelaide Strikers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women Final 2019 ESPNcricinfo.com. espncricinfo.com. en. 2020-05-15.
20. Web site: Dominant Heat claim back-to-back WBBL titles. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-05-15.
21. Web site: Women's Big Bash League - Adelaide Strikers Women Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2021-08-23. Cricinfo.
22. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2015/16 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
23. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2015/16 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
24. Web site: Mennie wins Neil Dansie Medal. Cricket SA. en. 2020-05-13.
25. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2016/17 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
26. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2016/17 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
27. Web site: MVPs Adelaide Strikers - BBL. adelaidestrikers.com.au. 2020-05-13.
28. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2017/18 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
29. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2017/18 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
30. Web site: Devine crowned WBBL MVP. Adelaide Strikers. en. 2020-05-13.
31. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2018/19 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
32. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2018/19 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
33. Web site: Consecutive MVP crowns for dominant Devine. Adelaide Strikers. en. 2020-05-13.
34. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2019/20 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-12-09.
35. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2019/20 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-12-09.
36. Web site: Devine wins third Strikers MVP. Adelaide Strikers. en. 2020-05-13.
37. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2020/21 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2020-12-01. Cricinfo.
38. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2020/21 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2020-12-01. Cricinfo.
39. Web site: Head, Patterson claim top State medals in season 2020-21. 2021-04-21. Cricket SA. en.
40. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2021/22 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2021-11-28. Cricinfo.
41. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2021/22 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2021-11-28. Cricinfo.
42. Web site: Webb and Hunt claim top honours at Dansie McCauley Medal night . 2022-04-08 . Cricket SA . en.
43. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2022/23 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com . 2022-11-20 . Cricinfo.
44. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2022/23 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com . 2022-11-20 . Cricinfo.
45. Web site: Full list of 22/23 Dansie McCauley Medal winners . 2023-04-01 . Cricket SA . en.
46. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2024/25 Records. ESPNcricinfo. 2024-12-03. en.
47. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2024/25 Records - Adelaide Strikers Women. ESPNcricinfo. 2024-12-03. en.
48. Web site: All the BBL and WBBL squads for 2024-25 season . ESPNcricinfo . 12 October 2024 . en.
49. Web site: Women's Big Bash League - Adelaide Strikers Women Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2020-05-15.
50. Web site: Hat-trick, century headline thrilling WBBL Sunday. 2021-10-24. cricket.com.au. en. ... Brown became the sixth player, and the first from the Strikers, to take a WBBL hat-trick..