Strikers on the brink after Penna's blazing knock goes in vain

Adelaide Strikers’ hopes of winning a third consecutive Weber WBBL title are in serious peril after an eight-run loss to Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

The Strikers sit on the bottom of the table with just one win from five matches, and will need to quickly find form in a shorter 10-game season to make the top four.

Meanwhile the Heat have claimed to third on the table after snapping a three-game losing streak.

India import Jemimah Rodrigues posted an impressive half-century, anchoring the Heat's innings of 6-175 with 61 from 40 balls, belting seven fours and a six in her player-of-the-match performance.

Opener Grace Harris (33 from 22) and captain Jess Jonassen (32 from 21) also provided handy knocks.

In reply, Adelaide were reduced to 3-16 in the fourth over before Bridget Patterson (61 not out from 47) and Madeline Penna (59 not out from 30) threatened to pull off a remarkable fightback.

The unbeaten pair put on a 113-run stand for the fifth wicket - from just 62 balls - but weren't quite able to drag their side over the line.

The Strikers were ultimately limited to 4-167 and remain last on the table with a 1-4 record, while Brisbane (3-3) are right in the finals mix.

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	No results N/R	Net Run Rate NRR	Deductions Ded.	Total points PTS
1 Sydney Thunder Women THU	6	4	2	0	0	0.248	0	8
2 Perth Scorchers Women SCO	6	4	2	0	0	0.205	0	8
3 Melbourne Renegades Women REN	7	4	3	0	0	0.171	0	8
4 Hobart Hurricanes Women HUR	6	3	3	0	0	0.432	0	6
5 Brisbane Heat Women HEA	6	3	3	0	0	-0.001	0	6
6 Sydney Sixers Women SIX	6	3	3	0	0	-0.389	0	6
7 Melbourne Stars Women STA	5	2	3	0	0	0.191	0	4
8 Adelaide Strikers Women STR	6	1	5	0	0	-0.892	0	2

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

N/R: No results

NRR: Net Run Rate

Ded.: Deductions

PTS: Total points