Weber WBBL|08

With teams returning to their home states, crowds unrestricted and an uninterrupted summer beckoning, WBBL|08 came with an already in-built feeling that something special was brewing.

Despite a wealth of domestic and international talents making their way over for WBBL|08, it was perhaps the absence of one of the biggest names that was perhaps the story of the season before finals. Meg Lanning's surprising hiatus from all forms of cricket just two months out from the opening game - citing burnout - surprised the league, with the competition's leading run-scorer eventually making her return the following season.

Ultimately, it was the Adelaide Strikers' prominent campaign that took over headlines by season's end. After two heart-breaking seasons as runners-up, the South Australian outfit finally turned their fortunes around to take home their first trophy.

It's fair to say the Strikers - although boasting South African powerhouse Laura Wolvaardt at the top of the order, the competition's leading wicket-taker in Megan Schutt (27) and Amanda-Jade Wellington, who earlier in the season took  a record 5-8 against the Renegades - were underdogs despite featuring in the big dance the previous season.

Instead all attention was squarely on the Sydney Sixers, making their return to the decider after tallying a record 11-win season to book a home final; an achievement even more considerable given their bottom-of-the-table finish in WBBL|07.

Despite that, it was the Strikers' grit on enemy territory which eventually came out on top, with Deandra Dottin's powerful knock with the bat and clutch wickets with the ball earning her Player of the Match honours in a memorable milestone for the crew in blue.