Strikers keep finals dream alive

Tahlia McGrath stroked her second half-century in as many days as the Adelaide Strikers kept their faint Rebel WBBL finals hopes alive with a 24-run victory over the Hobart Hurricanes.

McGrath thumped a quickfire 65 - after hitting 63 on Tuesday in her maiden WBBL 50 - to underpin the Strikers' 5-165.

The Hurricanes were held to 9-141 in reply at Karen Rolton Oval.

Following Tuesday's dramatic super over win over the Hurricanes and the Melbourne Renegades' loss to the Sydney Thunder, the Strikers can still make the top four by beating the Perth Scorchers twice this weekend in Alice Springs.

They must also hope the Renegades lose their final two matches.

After Tuesday's hero Sophie Devine (40) and captain Suzie Bates (36) got the Strikers rolling, McGrath provided the real fireworks, thumping 12 fours and a six in her electric 39-ball knock.

"I had a lot of help at the other end from 'Batesy' and Tegan McPharlin and it was really nice to come away with a win," McGrath said.

Heather Knight captured 2-31 for Hobart, including the key scalp of Bates, and Brooke Hepburn picked up 2-34.

But with the bat, only Knight made an impression with an emphatic return to form after the early loss of dangerous Indian opener Smriti Mandhana.

With support at the top from wicketkeeper Georgia Redmayne (24), England captain Knight hit 55 off 39 deliveries before heading back to the sheds thanks to a stunning one-handed catch from Devine.