That's it from our end in this first game of the day, but now we will shift to the clash between theSydney Thunder and the Brisbane Heat. Switch your tabs...
This is Arjun Bhalla, signing off on behalf of Mohammad Anab and Dushyat Madhukar.
Ash Gardner (POTM): "Thank you very much. It was the most comfortable I have felt in the middle this season. I have been very scratchy throughout this season, but it's good to come back to form.
All games are a must-win now; we want to host the final. This game was the closest to a perfect game for us so far.
Speak to Dunkley, she assessed the situation very quickly. She told me to hit straight as much as I could. Fortunately for me, I got quite a few balls in my zone - and I capitalised on that. I think, the Surge opens up the game - it could be good or bad for the team. It turned out to be good for us today.
Momentum is ours now. We have had scratchy wins so far in the tournament, but today we had a lovely win. Such games build character in the dressing room. Today, it felt like a more complete performance. We are heading in the right direction. Now, we have two games pending, and two very good teams to face. Fingers crossed, hopefully, we can finish like we want."
Player of the Match: Ash Gardner
1:13 PM IST, 6:43 PM Local Time: End of the match and Sydney Sixers Women continue their unbeaten run and win this game by 16 runs. They record their third win of the tournament while Melbourne Stars Women register their second consecutive loss of the season.
Their innings got off to an eventful start. After hammering 13 runs in the opening over, they immediately lost the in-form Ellyse Perry in the next. Two consecutive maidens followed, but Alyssa Healy and Sophia Dunkley steadied things with a 44-run partnership.
That stand allowed Ash Gardner to step in and take charge. The Sixers skipper not only shifted momentum during the middle overs but also reached her first WBBL half-century since October 2023. Gardner attacked the Stars’ attack relentlessly even as Dunkley struggled to find fluency.
Dunkley eventually fell to a run-out while pushing for an extra run to support her captain. Gardner and Maitlan Brown then capitalised on the Power Surge, adding a quick 27 in no time. Just when Sydney seemed set for a commanding finish, Sophie Day’s left-arm spin removed Gardner. Brown and Amelia Kerr attempted to lift the total at the back end, but the late surge never fully came together. They ended with a score of 164/5.
In reply, Melbourne Stars never had a good start and lost their first wicket in the opening over itself. They continued to lose wickets until Maia Bouchier and Kim Garth stitched a partnership of 82 runs for the fifth wicket. Bouchier went on to make 67 off 40 balls until she got dismissed in the 18th over.
The stars faltered in their chase and ended at 148/8 in their 20 overs.
Gardner was the pick of the bowlers with 3/31 while Maitlan Brown also picked up two scalps.
Sydney Sixers have three wins from five games and are at third place in the points table. Meanwhile, Melbourne Stars also have three wins from five games and are at second place in the table.
OVER 20
Melbourne Stars Women
148/8
Maisy Gibson
1(1)
Sasha Moloney
12(9)
Ashleigh Gardner
3-31(4.0)
19.6 A Gardner to S Moloney
1 THAT'S IT. The Sixers have beaten the Stars. They have beaten the side from Melbourne by 16 runs. Flatter at a good length on off-stump. Moloney makes room for herself and pumps over covers. One taken, but they have fallen short of the target by some margin.
19.5 A Gardner to S Moloney
4 Four!!!! Right arm over. Arm ball. Length ball at off stump. Shuffles to her off stump and then goes down on a knee before using the pace of the ball to sweep it over the short fine leg for a boundary. However, it's too late now for Sixers.
19.4 A Gardner to S Moloney
2 Over the wicket. Shortish and middle and leg. Moloney makes room and throws over covers for a brace.
19.3 A Gardner to M Gibson
1 Around the wicket. Slower. Back of a length on off-stump. The batter pulls to cow corner for a run.