Strikers vs Heat, Final at Adelaide, WBBL 2023, Dec 02 2023 - Match Result

That concludes our coverage of the WBBL final. Adelaide Strikers remain the benchmark of the competition after claiming back-to-back titles. Thanks for your company. On behalf of the entire team, it's goodnight from Adelaide Oval.

10.30pm Presentation

Adelaide Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath: "I'm going to use my quote from last year because it is the exact same, that was pretty bloody special. We called it last year. We were sitting in the changerooms, we said we're not done, we want to go back-to-back. And we've had that fight, that determination all year. This team is a proper team. There's no individuals, no ego. We know our role. We show up, day in, day out and it's a lot of fun playing with this team. Adelaide fans are the best. You guys show up. We were undefeated at home this year because of you guys. We've got a lot of respect for Brisbane Heat. Every time we play them it's a quality game. I'm sure over many years to come we're going to have these unbelievable battles."

Brisbane Heat captain Jess Jonassen: "Credit to the Adelaide crowd for coming out. It made for a great spectacle. To Tahlia and Adelaide Strikers congratulations on back-to-back titles. It's no easy feat. Obviously the benchmark of the competition all year, finishing top, earning the right to host the final, there's not many better stadiums to do that. To our girls, commiserations. I'm super proud of you all, we've worked very hard just to get to this moment. Keep your heads up, I know it hurts, but we'll be back bigger and better and stronger next year."

Amanda-Jade Wellington is player of the final. Wellington: "What a game. That's the pinnacle of WBBL for me. Shout out to Brisbane Heat. They've been the ones to best all year. That game just shows how good a side they are. Shout out to our girls. And one more shout out to the crowd. This has been just amazing to play in front of."

10.20pm What a performance by Strikers with the ball. Wellington takes 3 for 16 from four overs to win her team the game. Tahlia McGrath's captaincy and her two wickets were also vital. Brown bowled four overs for just 20 while Schutt picked up two wickets as well and Barsby took the key scalp off Grace Harris. Heat will rue that final for a long time. They did not handle the pressure of the chase.

Megan Schutt on Fox: "A bit emotional to be honest. A few tears out there. We set out a bold goal last year to go back-to-back and to achieve it is amazing. We have a really balance team. We turn up every game. Really well balanced. Four finals in five years. We played the game well. Running out there, 125 didn't look good but Tahlia said it was a tricky pitch after batting for the longest. We were confident if we could bowl well we could defend it."

Vinod Rajpal: "2/16 and 1 catch while fielding and 38 runs while batting....McGrath is clear player of the match..... Adelaide defended the title so will McGrath defend Match of the Player award !"

Matthew: "I made a comment earlier about the Heat needing to be careful about their approach to a small chase...I didn't think it'd prove true! What a final. A fantastic advertisement for the tournament. "

Hypocaust: "The 61 dot balls in the final were both the most that Adelaide Strikers bowled and the most that Brisbane Heat faced in any match this season."

Adelaide Strikers do it again! They pull off a miracle defending just 125. They win by 3 runs.

5 off 1. Hancock the hero with the ball trying to be the hero with the bat

Hinkley in for Bess Heath who was unavailable. She needs 11 off 3

Amanda-Jade Wellington will bowl the last

Only 13 runs off the surge. Heat need 13 off 6 to win the title

Georgia Voll at No.8

Schutt to bowl the 19th. Two out only. Deep midwicket and long-on back

Deep midwicket up. Fine leg back. Better field

Deep backward square and deep midwicket

Power surge taken. Brown on

Phani: "Sloppiness all over in a final!Rank hitter balls, straight to fielders, drops, misfields, fumbles, missed opportunities,...."