Full preview: WBBL|05 Final, Heat v Strikers

WBBL|05 Final: Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers, Sunday 1.40pm (2.40pm AEDT)

On one side, defending champions Brisbane Heat, who boast the competition’s most potent batting line up alongside the bowling potency of White Ferns leg-spinner Amelia Kerr and Australian stars Jess Jonassen and Delissa Kimmince.

On the other, the star-studded Strikers squad, who boast the WBBL|05 player of the tournament in Sophie Devine and its most economical bowler, Australian seamer Megan Schutt.

Stopping Devine will be priority number one for the Heat, with the New Zealand star having struck 764 runs for the season alongside her 18 wickets.

While Heat batter Grace Harris admits to a level of awe at the way Devine has been playing, that emotion will be shelved with back-to-back titles on offer.

"Sophie Devine, I think I might be girl-crushing out there for a little bit," Harris said.

"Depends how she bats. If she gets out for a duck, I won't be. But, if she tees off, I'll probably have my jaw on the ground in awe.

"She's had a fantastic competition. She's obviously been player of this competition and it's seriously deserved."

The Strikers will be playing in their first WBBL final in what’s been an emphatic turnaround for a club who missed the top four last season.

Their success has in large part been to the contributions of Devine, but pace bowler Sarah Coyte is confident that even if the New Zealander does suffer a rare failure with the bat, they have the depth to succeed.

"She’s unreal and I’m super glad she’s on my team," Coyte said of Devine after the Strikers claimed an eight-wicket semi-final win over the Scorchers on Saturday.

"It’s great to have her leading from the front with bat and ball … hopefully she continues her form tomorrow.

"(But) our group doesn’t rely heavily on one player. When we get the chance, we all go out and do our job. So it’s nice to have Soph lead from the front, but we have plenty of faith in the rest of our order."

How can I be there?

The atmosphere at Allan Border Field promises to be electric and you can secure a ticket for just $10 for adults, $5 for concession while children are free with a valid adult/concession ticket.

Buy your tickets HERE.

How can I watch?

The final will be broadcast on free-to-air television via 7Mate, while Fox Cricket will simulcast the match, which can also be streamed via Kayo on the Cricket Australia Live app.

For those who like their cricket served up on the radio, ABC Grandstand will cater to all your listening needs.

And if that's not enough, cricket.com.au and the CA Live app will have live scores and highlights of EVERY major moment, as well as replays of every wicket and every boundary in the match centre, plus web, video and social coverage from our crew on the ground.

Squads

Brisbane Heat: Kirby Short (c), Maddy Green, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Jessica Jonassen, Amelia Kerr, Delissa Kimmince, Charli Knott, Beth Mooney, Georgia Prestwidge, Courtney Sippel

Adelaide Strikers: Darcie Brown, Tegan McPharlin, Alex Price, Annie O’Neil, Sarah Coyte, Katie Mack, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Bridget Patterson, Ellie Falconer, Megan Schutt, Tahlia McGrath, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Form

(Most recent first)

Brisbane Heat: WWLWW

Adelaide Strikers: WLWWW

Head-to-head

The points were split when the Strikers and Heat met twice in two days in Mackay earlier in the regular season.

Interestingly, it was the game where Devine was dismissed cheaply that Adelaide took the points; the following day she bounced back with 65, only for the Heat to triumph.

In the first of the two encounters, it was half-centuries from Suzie Bates and Bridget Patterson that saw the Strikers win by eight wickets. Set a target of 140 by the Heat in front of a vocal crowd, the Strikers were on the back foot in the second over as the hard-hitting Devine (1) fell to the bowling of Sammy-Jo Johnson. But after Patterson joined captain Bates in the middle, the Heat were unable to make further inroads as the visitors reached their target with an over to spare.

The following day, Beth Mooney was the hero as the Heat opener hit 77 not out in a nine-wicket win. Strikers opening pair Bates and Devine had made a promising start before their side collapsed to lose 5-37, but Devine continued to hold up her end, scoring a 53-ball 65 to see Adelaide to 8-141.

The Heat made light work of their target in reply, with Mooney and Grace Harris (30) putting on 65 for the first wicket in just 7.3 overs, before Jess Jonassen (25no) helped the Heat home with 2.5 overs to spare.

Key players

Beth Mooney (Brisbane Heat)

The league’s second-highest run scorer, Mooney has been incredibly consistent for the Heat with eight half-centuries from 14 innings. She had a rare failure on Saturday, dismissed for 15, but she’s unlikely to be kept quiet twice in the same weekend.

Sammy-Jo Johnson (Brisbane Heat)

Johnson has produced another excellent campaign with the ball and how she fares against Devine and Bates in the Power Play will be critical to the outcome of the match. Remove the New Zealanders early and the Heat are in the box seat.

Sophie Devine (Adelaide Strikers)

Devine, crowned player of the tournament on Tuesday, produced her sixth player-of-the-match performance in the semi-final to continue what’s been the greatest all-round season in the competition’s history. She leads the league runs table, she’s picked up 18 wickets – can she also secure the Strikers’ first WBBL title?

Megan Schutt (Adelaide Strikers)

Schutt has the best economy rate in the league, so expect her to put pressure on Mooney and fellow opener Maddy Green early. Given the depth of the Heat batting order, Adelaide need Schutt and Devine to perform up front with the ball.