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AAP
AAP
Steve Larkin

Adelaide revel in heart-stopping WBBL title triumph

The Adelaide Strikers celebrate their three-run win against Brisbane Heat in the WBBL final. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Adelaide Strikers spinner Amanda-Jane Wellington's heart stopped.

Brisbane Heat captain Jess Jonassen's heart leapt.

Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath's heart was in her mouth.

The entire WBBL season, all 59 games of it, and the cherished trophy - came down to this.

Strikers win
Strikers celebrate another famous triumph in the WBBL with their win over the Heat. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Brisbane needed five runs from two balls to win Saturday night's final at Adelaide Oval.

Heat tailender Mikayla Hinkley had just smashed her first ball for six. 

Then she went for glory.

Hinkley cracked a Wellington legspinner high and long, towards the mid-off boundary where Jemma Barsby was stationed.

Wellington: "My heart stopped."

Jonassen: "We all thought on the sidelines that she potentially got it."

McGrath: "I thought it was out. I thought it was six. I thought it was out."

Near the boundary rope, Barsby took a few steps, then stood still - as time seemingly did.

Wellington player of the match
Amanda-Jade Wellington proved herself the player of the final with her run-a-ball nine and 3-18. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Wellington: "I saw Jemma getting settled under it about two metres in front of boundary. I was like, 'Oh, come on, just hold it'."

Barsby held her nerve. And held the catch.

Wellington: "I let out a big scream of relief and joy."

McGrath: "Pretty relieved ... her foot wasn't on the rope. Talk about a high pressure, it doesn't get much more than that. We all ran up to her and everyone's just saying, 'that's clutch'."

Jonassen: "If her (Hinkley's) second shot went for two more metres, that's a Heat victory. T20 cricket - a game of margins."

The moment meant Brisbane required five from the last ball. 

McGrath strikes
Star allrounder Tahlia McGrath also had a big game in the Strikers' triumph. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

They got one.

Adelaide won by three runs, with Wellington winning player of the match for her 3-16.

Wellington: "I have bowled a fair few last overs and a fair few super-overs as well. I love the crucial moments and the big moments."

McGrath: "She (Wellington) had this look in her eyes. She knew what she wanted to do and then she executed for us. I was very similar to last year."

Last year, Wellington also bowled the final over in Adelaide's title win - but she had more breathing space.

Then, the Sydney Sixers needed 23 from the ultimate over. Wellington conceded 12 and took a wicket on the last ball.

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