22 Jan 2018

Devine secures win for Strikers

5:41 am on 22 January 2018

It might have needed some Devine intervention, but Adelaide have emerged as genuine Women's Big Bash cricket contenders after scoring a thrilling super-over win over the Sydney Thunder.

New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine.

New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

In what was the second overtime match in as many days in the WBBL, Sophie Devine answered Adelaide's prayers with both bat and ball late in the Wagga Wagga encounter.

The dual-code New Zealander limited the Thunder to just four runs in the final over on Sunday to force the extra period, before conceding just six runs in her super-over.

Not content with her bowling heroics, Devine then slogged a boundary off Rene Ferrell's third ball and captured the match-winning single.

The defeat means the Thunder relinquished top spot to the Sydney Sixers on net run rate, with Adelaide joining both teams on 16 points at the top of the table.

It sets up a grandstand final week of the regular season next week.

"The word everyone uses is momentum and we were really disappointed with the way we went (in a loss) yesterday here," Devine said.

Chasing 115 to win, the Thunder were cruising when openers Rachael Haynes and Rachel Priest went on a 42-run stand for the opening wicket.

However the Strikers attack struck back, with Devine finishing with 1-12 off her three overs including a crucial wicket in the game-changing final over.

Farrell (2-21) was the pick of the Thunder bowlers against a Strikers batting line-up led by a captain's knock from Suzie Bates (40 off 43).

WBBL leading runscorer Ellyse Perry turned in an effortless 39 off 45 balls to guide the Sydney Sixers to a comfortable four-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars.

Tight bowling from Marizanne Kapp (2-13) and Kim Garth (2-15) had the Stars on the ropes at 4-22 early against the defending champions in Cranbourne East.

A sorely needed 39 from Erin Osborne gave the Stars some hope and while the Sixers' top order faltered, Perry sealed the win with yet another player-of-the- match effort.

Perth consolidated fourth spot on the ladder with a close six-wicket win over a determined Hobart team in Perth.

Georgia Redmayne anchored the Hurricane's total of 7-130 with an impressive half-century, but was matched by Perth's Nicole Bolton's 60 off 61 balls.

A six from Bolton reeled in the target with seven balls to spare.

-AAP