REIGNING WBBL champions Adelaide Strikers are on the board this for season 2023/24 after defeating the Sydney Sixers by 11 runs last night.

The Strikers were bowled out for 171 before restricting the Sixers to 9/160 from their 20 overs.

Things got off to a disastrous start with bat in hand, as Adelaide fell to 1/2 at the end of the first over of their innings.

Things did not really improve for the Strikers until the fifth wicket, which resulted in a 56-run stance between Bridget Patterson and Orla Prendergast.

The Strikers’ tail did not really wag either – losing 3/10 at the end of the innings – but by that stage their score was very much competitive enough.

Patterson went on to top score with 44, while Amanda-Jade Wellington made 40 and Prendergast made 39.

Meanwhile for the Sixers, Ash Gardner was an absolute star with the ball and took four wickets, while Lauren Cheatle snared three, and Ellyse Perry managed two.

In reply, the Sixers did not get off to a start much better than the Strikers, falling to 1/6 on the first ball of the second over.

Their second wicket partnership was a significant improvement though, as Perry and Sarah Bryce put together an 80-run partnership.

The fourth-wicket partnership yielded 53 runs, and by the time Bryce was dismissed the Sixers needed 32 runs off the last 22 balls, and things were looking good for those in magenta.

However, the Strikers’ bowlers really lifted and the Sixers then lost 5/20 to fall short of their target.

Bryce was ultimately the top scorer for the Sixers with 62, while Perry made 54.

Meanwhile for the Strikers Anesu Mushangwe was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown and Wellington all took two.