Adelaide Strikers 164 for 3 (Wolvaardt 73) beat Hobart Hurricanes 87 (McGrath 3-8) by 77 runs
The in-form Adelaide Strikers are making all the right moves in pursuit of back-to-back WBBL titles, defeating the Hobart Hurricanes by 77 runs in their final regular season game.
Chasing 165 runs for victory at the SCG, the Hurricanes managed 87 runs, their sixth-worst total in a WBBL game.
The defeat officially ended the Hurricanes’ hopes of clinching a spot, although they would have needed a minor miracle to unseat the Sydney Thunder and finish fourth.
The forwards had already secured first place in the standings and the rights to host the final of the tournament, which they will reach with a streak of five consecutive victories and with six days between matches.
With the ball, Strikers spinner Jemma Barsby caused chaos, bowling veteran bowler Elyse Villani for the first of six wickets to fall in the space of five overs.
Captain McGrath was the most influential with the ball, trapping Nicola Carey and Naomi Stalenberg off consecutive deliveries to consign the Hurricanes to 49 for 4 after they were 41 for 1.
After the Strikers were sent out, South African opener Wolvaardt put together a steady 67-run partnership with Katie Mack to get the table leaders moving.
Wolvaardt brought up his half-century in the 16th over with a simple, deep square leg off the bowling of Carey.
She broke loose late with consecutive boundaries in the 19th over, including her only six, before being caught in the deep off the penultimate delivery of the innings. The forwards added 100 in their second 10 overs.
