Strikers stretch lead in WBBL, douse Heat

The Adelaide Strikers have stretched their lead at the top of the WBBL table after a dominant eight-wicket win over the Brisbane Heat at Harrup Park in Mackay.

Chasing 139 for victory on Saturday night, Heat pace bowler Sammy Jo-Johnson picked up the big scalp of Sophie Devine (1) early before a second wicket partnership of 41 between skipper Suzie Bates and allrounder Tahlia McGrath set the game up initially for the Strikers.

Twin half-centuries to Bates and Patterson in an unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 96 were not able to be broken by the Heat's bowling attack with Amelia Kerr (1-24) and Johnson (1-23) the best for the home side with the ball.

Earlier an opening partnership of 56 between Beth Mooney and Grace Harris looked to have gotten the Heat off to a good start before Devine broke the opening stand.

Mooney anchored the innings despite losing partners along the way with a 49-ball knock of 73. Strikers spinner Amanda Wellington spun out the Heat middle order with 2-29 and allrounder McGrath grabbed the big wicket of Mooney just as the Heat were about to accelerate their innings.

Reliable Strikers quicks Sarah Coyte (2-22) and Megan Schutt (2-29) cleaned up the tail restricting the Heat to a modest total of 139.