Laura Wolvaardt and Amanda-Jade Wellington Star in Adelaide Strikers’ 21-Run Win

Adelaide Strikers Women produced an impressive all-round performance to register a 21-run victory over <a href="https://cricket.international/where-to-watch-match-8-melbourne-stars-women-vs-perth-scorchers-women-live-streaming-details/" title="Where to Watch Match 8 – Melbourne Stars Women vs Perth Scorchers Women? Live Streaming Details”>Melbourne Stars Women in the fourth match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 at Adelaide on October 31, 2026. Laura Wolvaardt led the way with a composed half-century, while Madeline Penna provided a sensational late flourish to propel the Strikers to a competitive total of 185/2 in their 20 overs. In reply, Melbourne Stars fought hard through contributions from Rhys McKenna, Meg Lanning and Naomi Stalenberg but were restricted to 164/7, falling short of the 186-run target.

Adelaide Strikers got off to a promising start with Laura Wolvaardt and Maia Bouchier building an opening partnership of 54 runs. Both batters looked comfortable at the crease, finding regular boundaries and keeping the scoreboard moving. Bouchier contributed 30 off 21 deliveries, striking five boundaries before her innings was brought to an end by Annabel Sutherland, who caught and bowled the opener in the 6.5th over. Kim Garth provided Melbourne Stars with their breakthrough, while Wolvaardt continued to anchor the innings.

Tahlia McGrath joined Wolvaardt in the middle, and the pair ensured that the early momentum was not lost. The duo stitched together an important 82-run partnership for the second wicket, putting the Adelaide Strikers firmly in control. Wolvaardt displayed excellent composure and timing throughout her innings, scoring 70 off 50 deliveries, including nine boundaries. Her knock provided the foundation for the Strikers’ imposing total before she was dismissed by Garth, caught by Sutherland in the 17.1st over, with the score at 136.

However, Melbourne Stars had little opportunity to celebrate as Madeline Penna arrived at the crease and immediately shifted gears. McGrath remained unbeaten on 43 off 36 balls, striking six boundaries, while Penna unleashed an aggressive counterattack. The latter smashed 36 not out from just 13 deliveries, including four boundaries and three sixes, registering a remarkable strike rate of 276.92. Their unbeaten 49-run partnership for the third wicket in the closing overs gave Adelaide Strikers the finishing momentum they needed. McGrath and Penna helped the hosts finish at 185/2 in 20 overs, with six extras added to the total.

Chasing 186, Melbourne Stars began positively through Rhys McKenna and captain Meg Lanning. The opening pair put together a valuable 77-run partnership, providing their side with a strong platform. McKenna played an attacking innings of 40 off 31 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries, while Lanning contributed 32 from 24 balls with six fours. Amanda-Jade Wellington provided Adelaide with the breakthrough by trapping Lanning lbw in the 8.3rd over.

Amy Jones could not make a significant impact, scoring just two runs from three deliveries before being caught by Sophie Ecclestone off the bowling of Amanda-Jade Wellington. The quick dismissal left the Stars at 79/2. McKenna soon followed, falling for 40 in the 10.5th over after being dismissed by Wellington, leaving Melbourne under pressure.

Annabel Sutherland and Naomi Stalenberg attempted to rebuild the innings, with Sutherland bringing some much-needed aggression. The pair added 32 runs for the fourth wicket before Sutherland departed for 29 off 19 balls, including three fours and a six. She was caught by Bouchier off Amanda-Jade Wellington in the 14.4th over.

The wickets continued to fall as Dani Gibson managed only one run before being caught by Penna off Eleanor Larosa. Charlie Dean was dismissed for a duck just two deliveries later, bowled by Larosa, leaving Melbourne Stars struggling at 127/6 in the 15.5th over.

Stalenberg tried to keep the chase alive with a determined 32 off 25 deliveries, striking four boundaries. However, her resistance ended in the 18.4th over when Sophie Ecclestone had her caught by Larosa, with the score at 151/7. Kim Garth added an unbeaten 13 off nine balls, while Carly Leeson remained not out on four from five deliveries. Their late contributions helped Melbourne reach 164/7 in their allotted 20 overs, but the required run rate proved too demanding. Maisy Gibson and Sophie Day remained unbeaten without getting an opportunity to bat.

For Adelaide Strikers, Amanda-Jade Wellington was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 28 runs in her four overs. Eleanor Larosa and Sophie Ecclestone picked up two wickets each, conceding 23 and 25 runs respectively. Anesu Mushangwe conceded 34 runs in three overs without taking a wicket, while Madeline Penna gave away 20 runs in two overs. Captain Tahlia McGrath conceded 19 runs in her two overs, and Ella Wilson finished with figures of 0/9 from one over.

Earlier, Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland were the wicket-takers for Melbourne Stars, claiming one wicket apiece. Garth finished with figures of 1/27 from four overs, while Sutherland conceded 40 runs in her four overs. Charlie Dean was economical, giving away 25 runs in four overs, while Sophie Day conceded 33 runs in three overs. Maisy Gibson bowled one over for 11 runs, and Dani Gibson had an expensive outing, conceding 47 runs in her four overs.

The Adelaide Strikers’ strong batting performance, highlighted by Wolvaardt’s half-century and Penna’s explosive finish, ultimately proved decisive. Despite Melbourne Stars’ promising start and individual contributions from their top order, Adelaide’s disciplined bowling attack ensured they maintained control during the chase. The Strikers secured a convincing 21-run victory, adding another important result to their WBBL 12 campaign.

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Source: femalecricket.com