Van Niekerk Guides Adelaide To WBBL Final As They Beat Melbourne By 9 Wickets

With the help of Dane van Niekerk blistering knock, Adelaide Strikers belted their way into the WBBL final with a brilliant nine-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades here on Thursday.

After electing to field, the Adelaide Strikers restricted the Melbourne Renegades to a paltry 83/8 in 20 overs and then successfully chased down the target with 55 balls to spare.

The Renegades got off to a disastrous start as they lost their skipper Josephine Dooley for a golden duck off the first delivery of the game by Megan Schutt (2/23). The Renegades managed to score 83/8 in their innings, with all-rounder Ella Hayward was their top-scorer (18*).

Strikers' fast bowler Darcie Brown scalped two wickets in her four overs.

Needing a mere 84 runs to book their place in the WBBL final, opener Van Niekerk attacked the Renegades bowlers as she smashed 43 off 30 balls (5 fours and a six).

Opener Katie Mack (31*) and Proteas star batter Laura Wolvaardt (9*) then guided the Strikers home.

The Adelaide Strikers will now face the Perth Scorchers in the much-anticipated WBBL final on Saturday.

Three South Africans will feature in the WBBL final, with Van Niekerk and Wolvaardt facing Scorchers all-rounder Marizanne Kapp in Perth.

Brief scores: 

Melbourne Renegades: 83/8 in 20 overs (Ella Hayward 18*, Darcie Brown 2/9, Megan Schutt 2/23)

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Adelaide Strikers: 86/1 in 10.5 overs (Dane van Niekerk 43, Katie Mack 31*, Carly Leeson 1/5).