New Zealand international Rachel Priest starred as Sydney Thunder drew first blood in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) doubleheader at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
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The Thunder proved too strong for Adelaide Strikers, coming away with a 37-run victory in hot conditions in Wagga.
Set a target of 148 for victory, the Strikers couldn’t maintain the required run rate and were bowled out for 111 in the final over.
Priest, who was named player of the match, set up the win with a quickfire 51 at the top of the Thunder innings.
The 32-year-old’s innings included three sixes and five fours as she got her team off to the perfect start.
Coming off a first ball duck against Sydney Sixers last week, Priest was pleased to spend some quality time in the middle.
“Especially after the last game, a first ball duck is never ideal, so I am really pleased to be able to contribute at the top of the order,” Priest said.
“That is my job with this group.
“We have a fantastic batting line up so I can go pretty hard at the top and it came off today.”
Priest even managed to clear the fence for one of her sixes.
She brought up her 50 off just 26 balls in a fine display of power hitting.
However just after notching her second 50 in WBBL, Priest went for one big shot too many.
She was caught on the rope to become Tahlia McGrath’s second victim.
However Naomi Stalenberg soon picked up where Priest left off.
Stalenberg belted two sixes and four fours on her way to 41 before being caught in the deep off New Zealand international Sophie Devine (2-35).
West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor accelerated the Thunder’s innings late with an unbeaten 33 off 29 balls.
The Strikers started well before wickets and the pressure of the big run chase started to mount.
Bridget Patterson top scored for her team with 30 runs off 20 balls, before the Strikers wilted in the heat losing their last six wickets for 22 runs.
Samantha Bates (3-21) and Taylor (2-20) were the pick of the Thunder bowlers while Nicola Carey (2-14) will be on a hat-trick on Sunday after picking up the last two wickets.
Priest also shone in the field, finishing the match with three stumpings, including one with the last play of the day.
“I think we bowled and fielded really well and I can’t do the stumpings and that without what the bowlers do,” she said. “They did a really great job today.”
