Penna, McGrath star as Strikers down Hurricanes in WBBL
Madeline Penna starred with the bat before Tahlia McGrath finished the job with the ball as the Adelaide Strikers posted an upset 38-run WBBL win over the Hobart Hurricanes.
The last-placed Strikers made 7-140 in Saturday’s clash at Adelaide Oval thanks largely to Penna’s 60 off 40 balls.
In reply, the Hurricanes were bowled out for 102 in 15.2 overs, with Elyse Villani (44 off 39 balls) the top-scorer in an otherwise horror batting display by the Hurricanes.
Strikers captain McGrath (4-13) starred with the ball, while Megan Schutt (2-14) and Anesu Mushangwe (2-18) were also crucial.
Hurricanes opener Lizelle Lee entered the match on the back of scores of 150 not out and 103.
But she was out caught behind for just eight in the second over when she attempted to belt Orla Prendergast down the ground.
The Hurricanes were on track for victory at 1-63 in the ninth over, but a collapse of 9-39 saw them fall in a heap.
The result left third-placed Hobart nursing a 4-4 record with just two games remaining before finals.
Adelaide (2-6) stay last, but the defending champions were all smiles after finally snapping their five-match losing run.
“It’s been a long time coming, and it’s so good we can get a win,” Penna told Fox Sports.
“To get it at home in front of our fans is so nice. We have really loyal fans here.
“Sometimes when you’re losing, you don’t have those people who back you. But we know our fans here at Adelaide back us in whether we’re winning or losing.
“It’s really good we could get a win for them.”
McGrath was also thrilled with the win.
“It’s been a really tough season,” McGrath said.
“We haven’t quite been up to our standard, and cricket is a brutal game when you’re not at your standards.
“We’re still trying to get something out of this season.
“It is really tough at times, but it’s easy to smile when you have games like that.”
The Strikers were in all sorts of trouble at 4-45 after eight overs when Penna strolled to the crease.
Things were still precariously placed at 6-109 in the 16th over when Penna was dropped on 44.
She received another life – again when she was on 44 – and made the most of it by guiding the Strikers to the full 20 overs.
Penna’s innings, which featured six fours and two sixes, only came to an end when she was run out on the final ball.
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