Adelaide Strikers have sent a message to their women's Big Bash rivals, launching their hunt for a maiden title with a comprehensive 36-run win over Brisbane Heat.
New Zealand international Sophie Devine blitzed her way to 89 off 55 balls to set up a strong target of 173 but it was the Strikers' suffocating bowling performance that impressed most at Melbourne's Junction Oval on Sunday.
T20 World Cup-winning pace bowler Megan Schutt (1-23), young gun Tahlia McGrath (1-31) and former Australian international Sarah Coyte (0-17) helped restrict the Heat to 2-136.
Opener Beth Mooney (63 not out), the WBBL's most prolific run-scorer, steadied the ship along with Kirby Short (62 not out) after early wickets left the Heat reeling at 2-9.
But the pair were unable to break the shackles imposed by a disciplined and versatile Strikers attack that looms as perhaps the competition's strongest.
"It's a funny one. Looking back now when you see they've got two batters not out, you do wonder could they have had more of a crack," Devine said.
"But I think we contained them well. We bowled well against them so maybe they felt that they couldn't get away.
"You always want to start the competition well. It gives you that bit of momentum to get things going."
The Strikers lost the key wicket of Suzie Bates - the world's No.1 ranked T20 batter - for just one courtesy of a superb direct-hit runout from Short.
But fellow New Zealander Devine was quick to assert herself, smashing five sixes in a dominant knock aided by contributions from Bridget Patterson (31) and Tegan McPharlin (30).
The Strikers' lineup is set to be bolstered further when England offspinner Danielle Hazell is cleared to play after being rested following the T20 World Cup.
