Healy storm steers Sydney Sixers over the line; bowlers win it for Melbourne Stars

The rain Gods aren’t going to leave the sixth edition of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) easily. While Perth Scorchers had their encounter against Adelaide Striker abandoned, Sydney Thunder made full use of the opportunities they got beating Brisbane Heat by 14 runs via D/L method on Sunday (November 1).



The other matches of the day didn’t get any respite too. The Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades match was revised to 18-over per side after a brief spell of strong drizzle while the Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes was reduced to 19-overs each side because of the same.



Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades  



After a couple of bad days in office (which included a washout), Alyssa Healy returned back to form with a 31-ball 60 leading Sixers to an eight-wicket win over Renegades. Chasing a modest target of 120 runs at six runs per over, the wicketkeeper-batter looked dangerous from the start taking the opposition bowlers to the cleaners.



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Her monstrous six off Sophie Molineux to bring up the half-century was a treat to watch. Although she was dismissed by Georgia Wareham in the eighth over, Healy did her job proving a strong platform for the batters to come to take Sixers home. Skipper Ellyse Perry and Erin Burns took them over the line in 13.1 overs. Ashleigh Gardner also chipped in with 20.



Earlier, a late quick-fire 27-ball unbeaten 54 by Wareham propelled renegades to a 119/7 in 18 overs after they were reeling at 46 for 4 in the 11^th over, thanks to Stella Campbell’s 4-0-32-3. Lizelle Lee (nine), Erin Fazackerley and Amy Satterthwaite (both scored two runs each), all failed on the day. Courtney Webb (21) and Molineux (23) also contributed.



Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes



Meanwhile, at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney, it was bowlers’ day out as Katherine Brunt (3/17), Natalie Sciver (3/21) and Tess Flintoff (2/5) shared eight wickets between them to restrict Hurricanes to 89 for 9 in 19 overs.



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Rachel Priest was the first to go – first-ball duck – before Hayley Matthews followed suit with just a run beside her name in the scoresheet. Naomi Stalenberg also did not last long holing out to Meg Lanning off Holly Ferling for eight.



Thereafter wickets kept on tumbling at regular intervals as the Hurricanes could never really recover. Nicolas Carey (26), Chloe Tryon (15) and Sasha Moloney (19) were the only batters with double digits. In reply, a fine half-century by Elyse Villani at the top of the order steered Stars home in 11.2 overs. The opener remained unbeaten at 51 from 32 balls.



Mignon du Preez (10), skipper Lanning (12) and Sciver (15 not out) also contributed. Brooke Hepburn (1/6) and Tryon (1/18) took wickets Hurricanes.



Brief scores



Melbourne Renegades 119/7 in 18 overs (Georgia Wareham 54*; Stella Campbell 3/32) lost to Sydney Sixers 121/2 in 13.1 overs (Alyssa Healy 60) by eight wickets.



Hobart Hurricanes 89/9 in 19 overs (Nicolas Carey 26; Katherine Brunt 3/17, Natalie Sciver 3/21) lost to Melbourne Stars 93/2 in 11.2 overs (Elyse Villani 51*; Brooke Hepburn 1/6) by eight wickets.