In a dramatic finish in the Women’s Big Bash League, Sydney Sixers Women edged out Adelaide Strikers Women by just one run — 173/4 to 172/7 — thanks to a masterclass from Ellyse Perry and a strong all-round effort by Ashleigh Gardner, whose two wickets kept the pressure on the chased total until the final deliveries.
From the outset, the Sixers looked to chase confidently, and Perry’s batting provided the perfect launchpad. Her 111 off 71 balls was a blend of composure, timing and aggression. She punished anything even slightly loose, rotated the strike intelligently, and kept the scoreboard ticking at a healthy pace. Whether it was piercing drives through the covers or slick cuts behind point, Perry’s shot-selection under pressure demonstrated why she remains one of the elite batters in world cricket. By the time she reached three figures, she had done more than just anchor the chase — she had given her team a template of controlled aggression and calm under pressure.
But while Perry’s bat laid the foundation, the ball too played its part. Gardner’s spell came at a crucial phase, when the chase was in full motion and momentum seemed to be shifting firmly toward the Sixers. She picked up two important wickets — each one perhaps enough, in another match, to tilt the scales. Her control over pace and variation troubled the Strikers’ middle-order and induced errors when they tried to accelerate. In a game decided by a single run, her contribution with the ball was enormous; had just one more catch held or one more delivery landed fuller, history might have tilted in the Strikers’ favour.
Despite that, the Sixers kept their composure. With Perry anchoring and the rest of the lineup doing their job — rotating strike, punishing loose balls, and holding nerve as the required rate climbed — they managed to stay ahead of the chase. The death overs were tense, the target attainable yet demanding, but the Sixers showed calm maturity rather than desperation, ensuring they converted the advantage they built.
For the Strikers, the narrow margin of defeat will sting. They had the bowling — thanks to Gardner — and glimpses of momentum. But in T20 cricket, especially at the top level of the WBBL, fine margins matter. One dropped catch, one under-pitched delivery, or one missed run-out opportunity can make the difference between celebration and heartbreak. This match was proof of that — and of how one outstanding innings can twist the fate of a game.
For Perry, the century reaffirms her status as a match-winner when it matters most. For Gardner, the two wickets show that even in defeat, individual performances count, and that in tight matches, given a bit more support, her spells could have turned the result. For the Sixers Women as a team, the win is more than just three points — it’s a statement that they can withstand pressure, execute under tense finishes, and rely on both bat and ball to deliver.
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