In the warfare of the T20 Leagues from around the world in women’s cricket, the Women’s Big Bash League stands tallest with the utmost popularity and thrill. It all started back in 2015 when Australia Women’s National T20 Cup was replaced by the WBBL, allowing players from round the world, making it the most happening time of the year in the women’s cricket calendar year.
In the ninth season of the WBBL, Adelaide Strikers not onlydefended their title but also were the most dominant team this season, winning 11 out of 14 league games. Despite putting up a total of 125 in the final, the Adelaide Strikers kept their nerves intact and defended the total and the title.
Here are the four reasons that made them stand out from any other team, winning back-to-back titles.
Consistency comes with character
The Adelaide Strikers have made it to the playoffs four times out of five occasions and have now secured their second title, becoming the fourth team to win the WBBL title twice. They may not be successful in posting big totals, but they sure know how to defend it having the likes of Megan Schutt, AJ Wellington, and Tahila McGrath.
The captain, Tahila McGrath, has led the team from the front displaying character in crucial games. In the final, she scored 38 off 34 deliveries and also picked up two wickets, making sure that her team walked off the field with the trophy.
Well Rounded Unit
When it comes to the team with the best balance, Tahila McGrath’s Strikers are the strongest team on paper. With the experience of Laura Wolvaardt and Katie Mack at the top, and Tahila Mcgrath in the middle, all three of them possess the skills of reading the game well and how to hold one end when there’sa collapse. Even in the final, after losing Katie early, both Wolvaardt and Tahila batted cautiously and took the team to a respectable total.
And with bowlers like Megan Schutt and AJ Wellington, they not just had the best bowlers, but they had the in-form bowlers, and when you have Megan on your side, you know how calmly she can handle things. Even in the final, when the game could have gone anywhere, Megan and AJ bowled impressively, keeping things simple.
Big Names making bigger impacts
In the final of the last season, it was Deandra Dottin, who scored a match-winning fifty and took two wickets as well, and now it was Tahila McGrath scoring the much-needed 38 runs and picking up two wickets, sealing their second title. Even Laura Wolvaardt scored 39 alongside McGrath in the high-magnitude final.
In the bowling department, Megan Schutt was the leading wicket-taker in the last season, and again this year, she has picked 22 wickets in 15 games. While her mate, Amanda Jade Wellington, gave her best performance this year, picking up 23 wickets in the season, including three in the big final.
Youngsters knocking on the doors
Darcie Brown, AJ Wellington, Madeline Penna, and Anesu Mushangwe fueled the Strikers’ run to the second consecutive title and all these young guns were exceptional in their areas of expertise.
Darcie Brown is the most economical bowler of the tournament. Being just 20 years old, she possesses some serious fast bowling skills and even in the low-scoring final, she kept her calm and gave a mere 20 runs in her four overs spell. While Amanda Jade Wellington was among the most economical and leading wicket-takers of the league.