Amanda-Jade Wellington: 'My heart stopped'
Jemma Barsby's catch off Amanda-Jade Wellington to deny Mikayla Hinkley a match-winning six was the pivotal moment in a thrilling final
AAP
03-Dec-2023
Amanda-Jade Wellington took 3 for 16 and was named player of the WBBL final • Getty Images
Adelaide Strikers spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington's heart stopped. Brisbane Heat captain Jess Jonassen's heart leapt. Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath's heart was in her mouth.
The entire WBBL season, all 59 games of it, and the cherished trophy - came down to this. Brisbane needed five runs from two balls to win Saturday night's final at Adelaide Oval.
Heat tailender Mikayla Hinkley had just smashed her first ball for six. Then she went for glory.
Hinkley cracked a Wellington legspinner high and long, towards the long-off boundary where Jemma Barsby was stationed.
Wellington: "My heart stopped."
Jonassen: "We all thought on the sidelines that she potentially got it."
McGrath: "I thought it was out. I thought it was six. I thought it was out."
Near the boundary rope, Barsby took a few steps, then stood still - as time seemingly did.
Wellington: "I saw Jemma getting settled under it about two metres in front of the boundary. I was like, 'Oh, come on, just hold it'."
"She had this look in her eyes. She knew what she wanted to do and then she executed for us. It was very similar to last year."Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath on Amanda-Jade Wellington
Barsby held her nerve. And held the catch.
Wellington: "I let out a big scream of relief and joy."
McGrath: "Pretty relieved ... her foot wasn't on the rope. Talk about high pressure, it doesn't get much more than that. We all ran up to her and everyone's just saying, 'that's clutch'."
Jonassen: "If her [Hinkley's] second shot went for two more metres, that's a Heat victory. T20 cricket - a game of margins."
The moment meant Brisbane required five runs from the last ball. They got one.
Adelaide won by three runs, with Wellington winning player of the match for her 3 for 16.
Wellington: "I have bowled a fair few last overs and a fair few super-overs as well. I love the crucial moments and the big moments."
McGrath: "She [Wellington] had this look in her eyes. She knew what she wanted to do and then she executed for us. It was very similar to last year."
Last year, Wellington also bowled the final over in Adelaide's title win - but she had more breathing space.
Then, the Sydney Sixers needed 23 from the ultimate over. Wellington conceded 12 and took a wicket on the last ball.