Adelaide Strikers 119 for 4 (Wolvaardt 47, Patterson 36*, Smith 3-16) beat Sydney Thunder 118 for 6 (Athapaththu) by six wickets

Strikers have a bowling attack which boasts economy and variety and as a collective they found their groove to restrict Thunder to 118 for 6.

When Heather Knight fell to Jemma Barsby, Thunder were 32 of 3 in the seventh over. In-form opener Chamari Athapaththu was graceful but well contained by the bowlers. McGrath, who removed Athapaththu, also bowled a maiden to Marizanne Kapp in the ninth over.

Smith had found herself on a hat-trick when she removed Mack and bowled McGrath with a beauty that spun between bat and pad.

Three teams are now level on 14 points with Perth Scorchers leading the way on net run-rate. There is significant incentive to finish top as that means a direct path into the grand final while the team in second gets to host the Challenger final. Those in third and fourth have to win two knockout matches to reach the final.