Gardner shines as Sixers end Hurricanes' unbeaten run
Two-time champions Sydney Sixers bounced back from the ignominy of the 42 all-out by handing the high-flying Hobart Hurricanes their first loss of WBBL 2025 in their sixth game. The Sixers managed only 147 on the board but Ash Gardner played a starring role with the ball, her 4 for 36 helping bowl out the hosts for 136 resulting in a 11-run win.
It was with her final over that Gardner produced the star turn. Her first three in the target defence had gone for 34, but the veteran took the ball with the game in the balance, with Hurricanes needing 19 off the final three overs and four wickets in hand. With the first ball, she cleaned up Hayley Silver-Holmes. Molly Strano then lost her stumps off the very next ball, attempting a similar big shot. Lauren Smith then mistimed Gardner's last ball of the over and picked out Sophia Dunkley at extra cover, leaving Hurricanes with only No. 11 Linsey Smith to partner Ellyse Villani, who had anchored the chase with a solid knock.
As it turned out, Lauren Cheatle needed only one ball at No. 11 Liney Smith to close out the game as Hurricanes lost by 11 runs with eight balls to spare.
Earlier in the game, Sixers, who had opted to bat, were propped up by a 75-run opening stand between Dunkley and Ellyse Perry. The former hit eight boundaries in her 50 (46). But the Sixers endured another of their batting collapses through the back end, losing five wickets for four runs. On this day, however, they were able to get away and eke out a win.
Brief scores: Sydney Sixers 147/9 in 20 overs (Sophia Dunkley 50; Heather Graham 4-29) beat Hobart Hurricanes 136 in 18.4 overs (Elyse Villani 42*; Ash Garnder 4-36) by 11 runs.
Perth Scorchers completed a double over Adelaide Strikers with a thrilling win at the WACA. The Scorchers were heading towards a comfortable win at one point when the Strikers lost three wickets in three balls in the 16th over of the run chase that left them reeling at 121/7. At that point, they needed 38 to win off 24 with just three wickets in hand and that came down to 37 off 19 when they lost their eighth wicket.
However, key boundaries from Sophie Ecclestone kept them in the hunt and even after her dismissal in the penultimate over, Strikers were in touching distance when Darcie Brown hit two boundaries to bring the equation down to 2 off 2. However, she was caught next ball in an anti-climax. Strikers were left to rue the finish given the start they made. With Laura Wolvaardt making 41 and Madeline Penna getting 36 off 27, they were well positioned at 96/2 before a collapse pegged them back.
Scorchers themselves had a poor start to their innings when Katie Mack was dismissed for a three-ball duck followed by Beth Mooney getting castled for just 8. Maddy Darke counterattacked with a 22-ball 34 but it was skipper Sophie Devine and Paige Scholfield who were involved in an unbroken 76-run stand that not only steadied the ship but also helped Scorchers post a competitive total.
Brief scores: Perth Scorchers 159/4 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 49*, Paige Scholfield 46*; Darcie Brown 2/25) beat Adelaide Strikers 158 in 19.5 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 41, Madeline Penna 36; Amy Edgar 4/25, Chloe Ainsworth 3/22) by 1 run.
