The Adelaide Strikers fell agonisingly short in their chase of 160 against the Perth Scorchers, losing by one run.
Darcie Brown impressed with the ball, while Laura Wolvaardt and Maddie Penna strung a good partnership together. However, a collapse towards the back end of the innings left the Strikers with too much to do, despite Browns late-innings striking almost taking them home.
Tahlia McGrath won the toss and elected to bowl first and Jemma Barsby made an instant impact. She struck in the first over, dismissing former Striker Katie Mack before Brown struck twice.
The seamer continued her fine form with the ball in the competition, picking up 2-25. She got Beth Mooney with a peach of an inswinger and Maddy Darke caught at mid-off. Megan Schutt also bowled tidily but went wicketless.
Sophie Ecclestone took the only other wicket, getting England teammate Freya Kemp caught on the ring as the Scorchers finished on 159-4 from their 20 overs.
Tammy Beaumont fell early into our innings but Wolvaardt and Penna strung a big partnership together to push the Strikers on. They added 62 before Penna fell for an impressive 36. She passed 1,000 WBBL runs for the Strikers during her innings.
Wolvaardt ended up on 41 before nicking off. She hit four fours along the way with a few sumptuous drives.
The Strikers were in a strong position but a team hat-trick during the Power Surge killed the momentum. Bridget Patterson (caught at midwicket), Ellie Johnston (run out) and Amanda-Jade Wellington (bowled) fell in consecutive deliveries in the 16th over.
Late-innings cameos from Ecclestone and Brown kept hopes of a win alive, but Brown fell on the penultimate ball as the Strikers were bowled out just shy of the required total.
We host the Brisbane Heat on Tuesday at Karen Rolton Oval for our next game. The Heat are yet to win in WBBL|11, while Luke Williams' side have slipped to seventh.