Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Maddie Penna and Katie Mack will again wear blue this summer, with both signing on to remain with the Adelaide Strikers for the Weber WBBL|07.
Penna, an allrounder possessing devastating power with bat in hand and plenty of tricks with the ball, has penned a three-year contract while Mack, a veteran top-order batter with 83 WBBL fixtures in the kitbag, is set for a third season in Adelaide after signing a one-year extension.
Teammates with the ACT Meteors and great friends, both Penna and Mack shone last season, each registering their highest scores in the WBBL amidst the challenging hub conditions that saw all teams living in a village at Sydney Olympic Park.
Finishing the tournament as the Strikers second-highest run-scorer behind South African international Laura Wolvaardt, Mack passed the half-century mark twice, cracked 28 boundaries and scored at more than a run-a-ball consistently with a strike-rate of 110.
With the seventh instalment of the WBBL rapidly approaching, Mack is delighted to be locked in as a Striker for another year.
“I have loved every minute of my time as a Striker and am excited to be getting back together with the group as we look to achieve something really special this season. The WBBL is such an exciting competition, so the opportunity to put on a show in front of our amazing fans again is something I am so grateful for.”
For Penna, her WBBL|06 moment came against the Hobart Hurricanes at Hurstville Oval in a match-winning performance that stamped her credentials as a star of the future, smashing 56* from 33 deliveries after striding to the crease with the Strikers in serious trouble at 5/65 with seven overs remaining.
Beginning the innings watchfully, Penna suddenly unleashed in the final over, taking 24 runs from international allrounder Nicola Carey to push the final target out of the Hurricanes reach. Penna’s joy to be a Striker is clear when hearing her speak of the three-season commitment.
“WBBL is my favourite time of year where we get the chance to test ourselves against not only the best in the country, but some of the best players in the world. I’m very lucky to be a part of it. I had no hesitation signing a long-term deal with the Strikers; I absolutely love the environment and the people here and I know we are heading in the right direction to create sustained success as a team.”
Strikers Head Coach Luke Williams echoed those sentiments when discussing the signings.
“Both Maddie and Katie have shown repeatedly that they are not only fantastic talents, but fantastic people, and we are thrilled to have them wearing blue again this season. We have high aspirations for WBBL|07 and to retain Maddie and Katie strengthens our unit as the opening fixtures continue to grow on the horizon.”
