Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey
WBBL 07 Match 3: ST-W vs AS-W Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ST-W vs AS-W Dream11 Prediction Today | Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers Key Players | Hobart Pitch Report
Last season’s champions play one of this season’s challengers.
However, one feels that defending the title will be a challenge for the Sydney Thunder. Skipper Rachael Haynes is likely to be out of the tournament, replaced as captain by Hannah Darlington in a wonderful moment for the youngster. Also, the loss of such quality in Rachael Trenaman (Hurricanes), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight and Shabnim Ismail is not easy for any team to cope with.
But, they do welcome the in-form Smriti Mandhana, who is without a doubt one of the top batters in the world. It will be a tough test right away for Mandhana and co, as Adelaide Strikers on paper look one of the contenders for the WBBL 07 Title. Star South African Dane van Niekerk joins a Strikers side that has a well-balanced, exciting bowling attack led by Megan Schutt. Also, with Tahlia McGrath coming off a player of the series performance against India, the Strikers are well placed to improve on their sixth-placed finish in WBBL 06.
Who will start off with a win?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Sydney Thunder:
- Smriti Mandhana is in fine touch. The Indian opener has struck 422 runs in 16 white-ball matches this year at an average of 30.14 and strike rate of 132.29. She is coming off an excellent series against Australia, with a century in the Test followed by 52 in the last T20I.
- Mandhana has played five matches at Bellerive Oval, scoring 115 runs at an average of 28.75 and strike rate of 149.35.
- Sammy Jo-Johnson is a key X-Factor for the Thunder. She was the leading wicket-taker in WBBL 06 with 22 scalps in 14 innings at an average of 14.81 and strike rate of 13.4. Plus, she has 11 wickets in as many games vs Strikers.
- Deepti Sharma is also a welcome addition to the Thunder. The Indian all-rounder will be key with both bat and ball. She has 149 runs in 17 T20s this year at an average of 29.80 along with 15 wickets at an economy rate of just 5.71.
- 19-year old Hannah Darlington is now the youngest ever WBBL captain. The seamer was superb last season, taking the second-most wickets in the competition (12 inns, 19 wickets, avg. 13.68, SR 13.2). She has five wickets in four matches vs the Strikers (avg. 18.20).
- Samantha Bates has the equal-most wickets in Thunder-Strikers matches (12 in 10 matches, avg. 17.25)
Adelaide Strikers:
- Dane van Niekerk was the top run-scorer in the Women’s Hundred earlier this year (259, avg. 43.16, SR 105.71). She also took eight wickets.
- In 10 matches against the Thunder, van Niekerk has struck 125 runs at an average of 25.00 and strike rate of 103.31. She also has five wickets at an economy rate of 6.91.
- Katie Mack averages just 19.56 in 12 career matches vs Thunder. However, she has enjoyed some success playing for the Strikers against Thunder, with 90 runs in four innings at an average of 45.00, including one half-century.
- Mack will be aiming to improve on her poor record at Bellerive Oval: 6 inns, 48 runs, avg. 12.00.
- Laura Wolvaardt is one to watch. The South African had a solid Hundred campaign (7 inns, 181 runs, avg. 36.20, SR 116.77, and is enjoying a terrific year overall: 15 inns, 342 runs, avg. 42.75, SR 134.12.
- So can Wolvaardt improve on a poor record vs Thunder? She has scored just 29 runs in five matches at an average of 5.80.
- How good was Tahlia McGrath against India? The all-rounder was player of the series thanks to two crucial batting knocks (42* and 44*). She will be aiming to improve on her average of 16.44 in 10 innings vs Thunder, as well as her nine wickets in 11 innings.
- Megan Schutt has just the four wickets in 11 innings vs Thunder at an average of 62.50. However, she enjoys bowling at Bellerive Oval, with nine wickets in eight T20s on this ground.
- Sarah Coyte has seven scalps in nine matches vs Thunder (avg. 29, econ. 7.08). Amanda-Jade Wellington has 12 scalps in 11 games vs Thunder at an average of just 20.
- Darcie Brown recently made an excellent start to her international career vs India, and will be looking to build on those performances here.
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 12, Thunder 6, Strikers 5, N/R 1.
- Sydney Thunder won both matches against the Strikers last season.
- This is a big season for Pheobe Litchfield. The youngster had to train in lockdown throughout the year, so will be hoping to make a strong start. She has scored just the 35 runs in four innings vs Strikers so far, but expect her to play a key role higher up the order this season.
Possible Playing 11
Sydney Thunder: 1. Smriti Mandhana, 2. Phoebe Litchfield, 3. Sammy-Jo Johnson, 4. Corinne Hall, 5. Deepti Sharma, 6. Anika Learoyd/Olivier Porter, 7. Tahlia Wilson (wk), 8. Hannah Darlington (c), 9. Lauren Smith, 10. Issy Wong, 11. Sam Bates
Adelaide Strikers: 1. Katie Mack, 2. Dane van Niekerk, 3. Laura Wolvaardt, 4. Tahlia McGrath, 5. Bridget Patterson, 6. Maddie Penna/J Barsby, 7. Amanda-Jade Wellington, 8. Sarah Coyte, 9. Tegan McPharlin (wk), 10. Megan Schutt (c), 11. Darcie Brown
Bellerive Oval Hobart Pitch Report and Weather
Expect a true batting pitch for this match. Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Villani both struck quick half-centuries a couple of nights ago.
There are some showers forecast during the day in Hobart, which should hopefully clear by the evening. A cool night is forecast with the top temperature during the day just 15 degrees.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
- Wicket-keepers: Tahlia McGrath
- Batters: Smriti Mandhana, Laura Wolvaardt
- All-rounders: Dane van Niekerk, Tahlia McGrath, Sammy Jo-Johnson
- Bowlers: Sam Bates, Darcie Brown
Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?
Match Prediction
Adelaide Strikers look a very well-rounded team in WBBL 07. Sydney Thunder have lost a lot of quality, which gives the Strikers the edge. Strikers to win, barring any amazing individual brilliance by a Thunder player(s).