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
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