Amanda-Jade Wellington claims best WBBL figures in Eliminator against Brisbane Heat

The legspinner claimed 5 for 8 in the first knock-out game of the seventh edition of the tournament - the best return by any bowler in the competition's history

Amanda-Jade Wellington picked up the best bowling figures in Women's Big Bash League history after taking 5 for 8 for Adelaide Strikers in the Eliminator against Brisbane Heat.

The legspinner surpassed Molly Strano, who claimed 5 for 15 for Melbourne Renegades against the Stars in 2016, with her haul at the Adelaide Oval.

Wellington picked up Grace Harris and Mikayla Hinkley in her first over with two flighted deliveries.

The first saw Tegan McPharlin whip off the bails while the second was caught at first slip by Dane van Niekerk.

She then bowled Jess Jonassen at the end of her second over with a ball that pitched outside off but spun back and clattered into the stumps.

The purple patch continued when Laura Kimmince picked out Anna Patterson at deep midwicket from just her 17th delivery.

And Wellington collected a five-for when Georgia Voll's attempted cut looped into the hands of Laura Wolvaardt.

What a spell from Amanda-Jade Wellington!

Overs: 4
Dot balls: 18
Runs: 8
Wickets: 5

The best bowling figures in WBBL history! 👏 pic.twitter.com/x0IFnRDpSG

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) November 24, 2021

A maiden from her fourth over ensured that Wellington finished with the best return from a bowler in the seven editions of the WBBL.

And crucially, it helped keep the Heat down to 114 for 8 from their 20 overs as both sides eye a place in the Challenger against the Renegades.

On the day she brought up a century of WBBL appearances, the haul helped Wellington become the fifth bowler to bring up 100 wickets in the competition.

Only Strano, Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp and Heather Graham have gone past the landmark.

It is also the first time a Strikers bowler has reached 20 or more wickets in a single WBBL season, with Wellington currently on 21 from 15 games.

Sophie Devine and Sarah Coyte's 19 from WBBL 05 previously set the standard.