Rain Denies Sydney Thunder Victory in WBBL Thriller Against Adelaide Strikers
A late downpour in Adelaide cruelly denied the Sydney Thunder a much-needed victory in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), leaving them just three runs short of defeating the Adelaide Strikers on Friday night.
The match, part of a WBBL|11 double-header, was abandoned by umpires due to persistent rain, despite a blistering chase from the Thunder. Chasing a target of 46 runs in five overs, Phoebe Litchfield’s explosive batting performance had propelled the Thunder to 0-43 after 2.5 overs, leaving them on the cusp of a dramatic win.
Litchfield’s Dazzling Knock Fuels Thunder Chase
Litchfield’s remarkable innings of 38 runs off just 15 balls was the driving force behind the Thunder’s pursuit. The left-handed batter smashed four consecutive fours off Darcie Brown, coming within inches of a fifth boundary. According to reports, Litchfield’s aggressive play had lifted the team’s spirits and brought them tantalizingly close to victory.
“Disappointed,” Litchfield reportedly told Fox Sports. “It’s a shame… it’s pretty disappointing.”
Earlier, Adelaide posted a total of 2-45 from their allotted five overs. Laura Wolvaardt top-scored for the Strikers with 22 runs off 13 balls, including a six and two fours, while captain Tahlia McGrath contributed 12 runs off six balls. Shabnim Ismail (1-6) and Lucy Finn (1-12) were the wicket-takers for the Thunder.
Umpires Face Difficult Decision Amidst Slippery Conditions
Despite the rain falling for approximately fifteen minutes, the umpires initially allowed play to continue. However, concerns over the increasingly slippery ball ultimately led to the match being called off.
“Tough one,” said Adelaide Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath. “The rain eased up but the ball was slippery, the umpires made the call.”
The abandonment leaves the Thunder seventh on the WBBL|11 ladder with two wins and four losses. A win would have significantly improved their position. The scheduled early fixture between the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat was also washed out due to the inclement weather.
WBBL|11 Standings (as of November 17, 2023)
Here’s a look at the current WBBL|11 standings:
| Team | M | W | L | T | N/R | NRR | Ded. | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart Hurricanes Women | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.109 | 0 | 10 |
| Melbourne Stars Women | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2.152 | 0 | 9 |
| Melbourne Renegades Women | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.57 | 0 | 8 |
| Perth Scorchers Women | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -0.413 | 0 | 8 |
| Sydney Sixers Women | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -0.533 | 0 | 7 |
| Adelaide Strikers Women | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0.067 | 0 | 6 |
| Sydney Thunder Women | 7 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | -0.519 | 0 | 5 |
| Brisbane Heat Women | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | -1.045 | 0 | 1 |
M: Matches played, W: Wins, L: Losses, T: Ties, N/R: No results, NRR: Net Run Rate, Ded.: Deductions, PTS: Total points
The Thunder will look to bounce back in their next fixture, hoping for more favorable weather conditions and a chance to secure a vital win in their WBBL|11 campaign.
