THE Adelaide Strikers started their WBBL title defence in record fashion, thrashing the Melbourne Stars by 148 runs.

In doing so they restricted the Stars to the record lowest WBBL total and handed themselves the record for the biggest ever winning margin in the process.

The Strikers batted first, and openers Katie Mack and Laura Wolvaardt set the innings up well with a 135-run, 14-over long opening partnership. There was a bit of a wobble after Wolvaardt fell, but the damage was already well and truly done.

The Strikers ultimately went on to make 3/177 from their 20 overs. Mack led the way for the home side with 86, while Wolvaardt made 47 and skipper Tahlia McGrath made 34 not out.

Meanwhile for the Stars, Sophie Day was the only bowler to pick up any wickets, picking up all three wickets that fell.

The Strikers’ large total was not even thanks to wayward bowling from the Stars, with only two extras conceded.

In reply the Stars’ chase was what can only be described as a total disaster. When Meg Lanning fell halfway through the second over with only one run to her name and the Stars’ total only on four, it truly was a sign of things to come. No one made a double figure score, and the extras tally outscored all bar one batter. The Stars were ultimately bowled out for 29 in the 10th over, with the one batter who outscored the extras tally being Sophia Dunkley, who made nine.

The Strikers only used five bowlers, but shared the wicket taking duties around with only one of them not picking up any wickets.

Megan Schutt and Amanda-Jade Wellington picked up three wickets each, while McGrath and Anesu Mushangwe each picked up two wickets.