Adelaide Strikers 119 for 4 (Wolvaardt 47, Patterson 36*, Smith 3-16) won Sydney Thunder 118 for 6 (Athapaththu) for six wickets
The forwards have a bowling attack that boasts economy and variety and as a collective they found their rhythm to restrict the Thunder to 118 for 6.
When Heather Knight fell to Jemma Barsby, Thunder were 32 for 3 in the seventh over. In-form opener Chamari Athapaththu was classy but well contained by the bowlers. McGrath, who removed Athapaththu, also bowled a maiden to Marizanne Kapp in the ninth over.
Smith had found himself with a hat-trick when he removed Mack and bowled McGrath with a spinning beauty between bat and pad.
Three teams are now tied on 14 points, with Perth Scorchers leading the way in net run rate. There is a significant incentive to finish first, as that means a direct path to the grand final, while the second-place team will host the Challenger final. The third and fourth places have to win two elimination matches to reach the final.