Sophie Devine has continued her magical run of form to help Adelaide to consolidate second spot on the WBBL ladder with a six-wicket win over the Sydney Thunder in Wollongong.
Chasing the Thunder's modest 4-112, Devine was the difference, timing the chase to perfection with a measured, unbeaten 62 off 58 balls as the Strikers won on Wednesday with five deliveries to spare.
It is Devine's her fifth-successive half-century and she overtakes the Sydney Sixers' Ellyse Perry into second position on the WBBL's run-scoring leaderboard, with 474 at an average of 79.
The superstar Kiwi, who combined with fellow New Zealander Suzie Bates (22) for a 53-run first-wicket partnership, was the only batter to master the slow, tricky deck at North Dalton Park.
Led by Pakistani spinner Nida Dar (2-24), the Thunder attack toiled away and did well to take the Strikers deep but Devine quashed their hopes of avoiding a fifth-straight loss.
Earlier, Thunder captain Rachael Haynes ended after a string of outs - 26 runs from her previous five digs - with an unbeaten 33 off 27 balls.
The Thunder's top six, however, generally found it tough going. Rachel Priest (31) and Tahlia Wilson (26) made solid contributions but both were relatively subdued against a well-oiled, disciplined bowling performance from the Strikers.
Australian Associated Press
