Strikers hit Scorchers in Alice Springs heat

It was the pair of New Zealand internationals that ensured the Strikers got off to the best of starts. Suzie Bates took the role of aggressor from the get-go; she used the width on offer to punish the Scorchers bowlers whose line strayed.
Once Bates was dismissed for 22 Devine took up the challenge. Devine who had scored three fifties before today added to that tally with a 42 ball fifty. Along with Bridgett Patterson Devine added 49 for the third wicket.
In the heat, the pair did well to look for the ones and twos. Patterson struck three sixes as the Strikers looked to add quick runs at the end of the innings.
Heather Graham fought back well with the ball as she took two wickets in two balls in her final over and finished with figures of 2 for 25. The Strikers, however, managed to finish their innings on 7 for 138.
The Scorchers never really got going as they lost three wickets inside the powerplay. Meg Lanning was the first to go as Megan Schutt convinced her to drive but did not play it with the same conviction as was caught.
Elyse Villani back in the side was dismissed by Devine’s first ball; the ball cannoned off Villani’s pad and bowled her.
Amy Jones looked in good touch with 14 before she played around a Danielle Hazell delivery and was bowled.
The only Scorchers batter that looked as if they had any control of their destiny was Lauren Ebsary; she was able to rotate the strike early on and then hit sixes off the bowing of Amada-Jade Wellington and Tahlia McGrath.
When Ebsary was out trying to pull Hazell through square-leg for 38 it ended any chance of the Scorchers winning the match. Hazell then took a good caught and bowled next ball.
Hazell finished with figures of 3 for 20, which was the same as Sarah Coyte who took the winning wicket bowling Piepa Cleary.
The two sides meet again tomorrow with both sides hoping that results go their way and they can steal the last remaining semi-final spot.