SS-W vs AS-W

That brings us to the end of our coverage of the Women's Big Bash League for the day. There's another double-header tomorrow - keep an eye on our tabs for our coverage of the same! This is Rajarshi, signing off on behalf of Bidipto for the time being. See you later!

Tahlia McGrath has been adjudged the Player of the Match! Here is what she has to say. 

Tahlia McGrath: It was a good partnership we had first with Katie Mack and myself and then the next two that I had with Bridget Patterson and Madeline Penna. I think I need to be sorry on Amanda Wellington missing out on the last over but yes, we do have a good well-rounder bowling attack! Our fielding has been a bit hit and miss this season, so that is one area we need to work on. I wanted to stay out there till the end and finish the job but the three batters who batter with me did an excellent job to help me out. It was a bit tricky out in the middle but Katie made it look easy. 

Match summary:

Adelaide Strikers women win by 7 wickets with 15 balls to spare

Katie Mack 45(37) | Danielle Gibson 3/34 (4)
Chloe Tryon 39(28) | Kate Peterson 1/3 (1)

Two berths in the qualifier have been occupied, and its the reigning champions who have been the latest to make it there! A target of 124 wasn't going to deter the Strikers line-up much - they needed one batter to steady the ship with another playing a support role, and Katie Mack and Tahlia McGrath went on to perform those roles respectively to perfection!

Mack and McGrath's partnership ensured stability for the Strikers, who lost Wolvaardt to a beauty from Lauren Cheatle early on. The left-armer was instrumental in applying the squeeze in the powerplay, but Mack, over the course of the middle overs, ensured that the required rate was kept up with by her side as McGrath settled in. Her feet movement to spin was nimble, effective, and soon enough, the Strikers were able to reduce the equation to a run-a-ball.

The Sixers needed their skipper to step up, provide a breakthrough and get them back in the game. Perry did that, claiming Mack in her first over of her return spell, but was smashed to all parts by Patterson in her following over. That over tilted the tide towards the Strikers, and even though they lost Patterson, Madeline Penna came in, capitalized on a couple of looseners from Gardner, and soon after, the Strikers were home.

17.3 Lauren Cheatle to Tahlia McGrath, ADELAIDE STRIKERS WOMEN ARE THROUGH TO THE FINALS WITH THIS WIN! Full around off-and-middle. McGrath steps out and squeezes it past the left of backward point to find the gap and send it away for a boundary! 

17.2 Lauren Cheatle to Madeline Penna, round the wicket, OH! Full toss around off-stump. Scythed though the hands of the bowler on the full to the right of long-off for a single. 

Just the one boundary needed to seal the deal. The Strikers have taken it fairly deep, but the points are what that matters - a spot in the final is what awaits them once they take the game!

16.6 Linsey Smith to Madeline Penna, full and tossed up on off-stump. Smacked off the front foot to the left of the bowler and a fumble allows for a single! 

16.3 Linsey Smith to Tahlia McGrath, OH NO! MISSED STUMPING! Good length ball around off-stump. A swing and a miss by stepping but and the keeper gives away a bye after that! 

16.2 Linsey Smith to Tahlia McGrath, FOUR RUNS! Good length ball around off-stump. McGrath square drives off the front foot for a boundary through point! 

The Strikers are two big hits away from sealing the deal here. Madeline Penna took full toll of the erring in lengths from Gardner over the course of the previous over.

15.6 Ashleigh Gardner to Tahlia McGrath, good length ball around off-stump. Knocked to the short cover region off the front foot for a single here.