A late, brilliant over from Sydney Sixers captain Ash Gardner turned the game on its head as her side held off the Hobart Hurricanes to claim an 11-run victory at Bellerive Oval, ending the visitors’ unbeaten WBBL streak.
The Hurricanes were in control, needing 19 runs from three overs with four wickets in hand, with Elyse Villani unbeaten on 42*. But Gardner’s final-over heroics changed everything. She dismissed Hayley Silver-Holmes, Molly Strano, and Lauren Smith in quick succession, leaving only No. 11 Linsey Smith to partner Villani, who could not finish the chase.
Earlier, the Sixers posted 147 for 9, powered by Sophia Dunkley’s 50 and support from Perry and Gardner, despite losing momentum after a strong opening stand of 75 between Dunkley and Ellyse Perry. Heather Graham was in devastating form for the Hurricanes, taking career-best figures of 4-29 and claiming key wickets to keep Sixers’ innings in check.
The victory helped Sydney bounce back from a heavy 111-run loss against Melbourne Stars in their previous match, while the Hurricanes’ five-match winning streak—their joint-longest in WBBL history—came to a dramatic halt.
With Gardner’s composed leadership and late-game brilliance, the Sixers showcased nerves of steel under pressure, denying the Hurricanes a record-breaking continuation of their run.
