Sophie Devine stood tall when her team needed her most to provide Adelaide Strikers a thrilling super over win on Sunday.
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Fans who braved the heat were treated to dramatic conclusion to the second Women’s Big Bash League match at Robertson Oval.
Sydney Thunder needed five off the last over to make it two wins for the weekend, but could only garner four off the New Zealand international’s last over to see things locked at 114 and send the match to the super over phase.
Devine was handed the ball for the super over and conceded six runs and then then backed up with the bat, creaming a boundary of Rene Farrell to set up victory for her team.
The 28-year-old then hit a single to see her team home with two balls to spare.
After scoring a duck earlier in the day, Devine was pleased to play a role in her team’s victory.
“As an all-rounder you get a bit of momentum from one skill to another,” Devine said.
“I felt really good with the ball and going out there with the bat I knew I could have a bit of a swing, have a crack at it was my licence to go for it.
“I’m just happy to get the win for the team.”
The Thunder looked on track for another win in Wagga when they limited the Strikers to 5-114.
Captain Suzie Bates led the way for the visitors, scoring 40 at the top of the innings while Tahlia McGrath (22) and Bridget Patterson (21 not out) backed her up well.
The Thunder run chase started well but when Rachel Priest (22) and Rachael Haynes (22) were dismissed within four balls, the Strikers snuck back into the contest.
Naomi Stalenberg continued her good form with 29 while captain Alex Blackwell made 21 and even some big hits late in the innings by Nicola Carey (13 not out) was quite enough for the win.
Devine didn’t believe her team had a lot of breathing space defending 115, but was pleased with the fight they showed.
“The Thunder probably dominated that game from ball one and looked reasonably in control, but we stuck with it and cricket is a funny old game,” she said.
“We knew if we could take it as deep as possible we could get there in the end and that is what happened.”
After going down by 38 runs on Saturday, the win keeps the Strikers in touch of the ladder-leading Thunder as finals loom.
Devine was pleased by how they responded after being totally outplayed in the first match of the doubleheader.
“We were really disappointed with the way we played yesterday,” she said.
“We didn't put enough runs on the board and bowling wise we weren’t as good as we have been in the past.
“It was really important for us to come out here, start fresh and put a complete performance in.”