Adelaide Strikers 140 for 7 (Penna 60, Smith 3-18, Bryce 2-32) beat Hobart Hurricanes 102 (Villani 44, McGrath 4-13, Schutt 2-14, Anesu Mushangwe 2-18) through 38 runs
Hurricanes opener Lizelle Lee entered the tournament at the again of rankings of 150 now not out and 103. However she was once out stuck in the back of for simply 8 in the second one over when she tried to belt Orla Prendergast unwell the farmland.
They had been, alternatively, heading in the right direction for victory at 63 for 1 within the 9th over, however a faint of 9 wickets for 39 runs spelt the top for them. The outcome left third-placed Hurricanes nursing a 4-4 report with simply two video games too much ahead of the finals.
Strikers (2-6) are nonetheless closing, however the protecting champions had been glad upcoming in any case snapping their five-match shedding run.
“It’s been a long time coming, and it’s so good we can get a win,” Penna advised Fox Sports activities. “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 once additionally extremely joyful with the win. “It’s been a really tough season,” she stated. “We haven’t quite been up to our standard, and cricket is a brutal game when you’re not at your standards.
“We’re nonetheless seeking to get one thing out of this season. It’s truly tricky now and then, nevertheless it’s simple to grin when you’ve got video games like that.”
Strikers were in all sorts of trouble at 45 for 4 after eight overs when Penna strolled to the crease. Things were still precariously placed at 109 for 6 in the 16th over when Penna was dropped on 44. She received another life – on the same score – and made the most of it by guiding Strikers to the full 20 overs.
Penna’s innings, which featured six fours and two sixes, best got here to an finish when she was once at the ultimate ball.