Adelaide Strikers captain Tahlia McGrath says her team will dust off the disappointment and come back "bigger and better" after suffering yet another loss in a WBBL final.
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Two years after losing the decider to the Brisbane Heat, the Strikers suffered a 12-run loss to the Perth Scorchers in front of 15,511 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
It means McGrath and a large chunk of her teammates have now suffered heartbreak in two grand finals in the space of three years.
"This one's certainly going to hurt," McGrath said.
"We've had a really good feeling all season but just to fall at the last hurdle was pretty disappointing.
"But it's more dust yourself off and come back bigger and better next year.
"We've got a really good core group still signed on for next year and we think we're pretty capable of taking the title.
"The hunger is there."
Fourth-placed Adelaide had to do things the hard way this year, beating the Heat and the Renegades in elimination finals in the space of two days just to make the decider.
In contrast, Perth earned direct entry into the final after finishing in top spot on the ladder.
McGrath was part of the Strikers side that lost to the Heat two years ago, and she was convinced she would come up trumps this time around.
"I've been wanting the Big Bash trophy for seven years, I thought tonight was my night," McGrath said.
"The hunger will be there. I absolutely love the Big Bash competition and it's a trophy that's missing from the Strikers' cabinet, so we'll be back."
Scorchers import Marizanne Kapp was the hero in the final, putting aside a bout of sickness in the lead-up to score an unbeaten 31 with the bat before snaring 1-25 with the ball.
Kapp had figures of 0-2 from her two overs in the powerplay, with her early efforts playing a key role in restricting the Strikers to 6-134 in reply to the Scorchers' 5-146.
The 31-year-old South African snared two WBBL titles during her six seasons at the Sydney Sixers, and she's keen to return to the Scorchers next year to help the franchise build a dynasty.
"I'm not someone who likes to move teams. It takes a lot for me to move teams," Kapp said.
"If they want me back, I'm definitely coming back."
Australian Associated Press
