Sydney Sixers’ teenage sensation Caoimhe Bray delivered a night to remember, grabbing a sensational hat-trick to hand Sydney Thunder another painful defeat in the WBBL derby.
Bray’s hat-trick came across two overs, capped by a superb diving catch from Erin Burns that sparked wild celebrations—even though the Sixers needed the ground announcer to confirm the milestone. The 16-year-old finished with a dream spell of 4 for 15, continuing her rise as one of Australia’s brightest young dual-sport talents.
Earlier, Sophia Dunkley anchored the Sixers’ innings with a composed 43 off 35, supported by Mady Villiers’ unbeaten 24 to push them to 142 for 9. Alyssa Healy also threatened with a brisk 26 before Thunder’s bowlers pulled things back late.
Thunder’s batting card, packed with experience, stumbled badly to 49 for 7 before 18-year-old debutant Lucy Finn produced a mature, unbeaten 49 to keep her side afloat. But Bray and Maitlan Brown (2 for 18) ensured the Sixers stayed in control, restricting Thunder to 118 for 8 to seal a 24-run win.
The Sixers will be sweating on the fitness of Amelia Kerr after the New Zealand star injured her quad in the warm-up, but Bray’s brilliance ensured the Sydney derby belonged firmly to the Magenta.
