AFTER an exciting home and away portion of the WBBL season, the teams left in the running has halved and it is time for the finals. Four teams, three matches, to determine one overall champion. That is all that stands between now and the end of the season.

The four teams left are the Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers, Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder. Two of those teams – Adelaide and Brisbane – made finals last year, and two did not. Perth is back in the finals after a one year absence, while the Thunder are back in the finals for the first time since they won the league in 2020.

The Adelaide Strikers have finished on top of the ladder and look in the box seat to go back to back after a strong run of form in the back end of the season. Led from the front by experienced heads Tahlia McGrath, Laura Wolvaardt, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Katie Mack, they may not have the biggest names in terms of internationals but the team connection is certainly there and the wins have been wracking up, so they get to rest up this week and await one of the other three in the Grand Final.

The Perth Scorchers also had a strong season, and although they had their ups and downs came good when it counted. They have the top scorer for the entire competition this season in Beth Mooney and an absolute weapon with both bat and ball in Sophie Devine, but as they proved against the Stars a few weeks ago if you get their top few quick enough, you really get them on the back foot.

The Brisbane Heat started the season all guns blazing, but slowed right up towards the back end of the season, so will need to recapture some of that early season form in order to make it past the Eliminator. Grace Harris will be counted on to have a big game with the bat, as will Jess Jonassen with the ball.

The Thunder really have had an up and down season, but did enough to out muscle their crosstown rivals into a finals berth. Chamari Athapaththu has been their true star with the bat, but if she does not make a massive score than the Thunder often struggle to, so they are going to have to find a way to counter that.

WBBL09 Finals Fixture

The Eliminator – 28th November – Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder – WACA Ground

The Challenger – 29th November – Perth Scorchers vs Heat/Thunder – WACA Ground

The Final – 2nd December – Adelaide Strikers vs Winner of the Challenger – Adelaide Oval