Adelaide Strikers secured an impressive 10-run victory over two-time Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) champions Sydney Sixers at the North Sydney Oval to win their first trophy during the 2022 edition. Back in 2021, the Strikers reached the final but finished runner-up after losing to Perth Scorchers by 12 runs. This time around, the team led by Tahlia McGrath were able to make amends and win their maiden title.
The team rode on Dottin's all-round abilities, scoring a 37-ball 52 with six fours and two sixes and helping the Strikers set a target of 148 for the Sixers to chase down. Katie Mack and skipper McGrath also made handy contributions with the bat. Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers for the Sixers with an impressive 2 for 19. Lauren Cheatle, Nicole Bolton and Kate Peterson picked up one wicket each.
Early in their batting innings, the Sixers found themselves in a lot of trouble after being reduced to 16 for four in 5.5 overs. Darcie Brown and Dottin ripped through the opposition's batting by sending Suzie Bates, Alyssa Healy, Erin Burns and Ashleigh Gardner back to the hut.
After the loss of early wickets, Ellyse Perry and Bolton brought the Sixers back into the match with a 60-run stand for the fifth wicket. But to the dismay of the Sixers, both batters perished in the space of six balls. While McGrath got rid of Bolton, who made 32 off 27, Brown nipped out the prized scalp of Perry, who made a 32-ball 33 with five fours.
In the last 31 balls, the Sixers needed 66 runs with four wickets in hand. Ecclestone threw her bat around to score 15 off eight before Megan Schutt castled her. Maitlan Brown threw the kitchen sink at everything to score 34 off 17 with two fours and three sixes, but her efforts went in vain.
The Strikers bowled the Sixers out for 137 in 20 overs. Brown and Dottin picked up two wickets apiece. Schutt, Jemma Barsby, McGrath and Amanda-Jade Wellington got one scalp apiece.
