Sydney Sixers continue winning ways; Brisbane Heat register first win of WBBL08

Women's CricZone Staff

15 Oct 2022

New Update

Sydney Sixers continue winning ways; Brisbane Heat register first win of WBBL08 — Sixers and Heat won their respective matches © Getty Images

Sydney Sixers registered their second win of the eighth season of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), while Brisbane Heat opened their account with the win over Melbourne Stars on Saturday (October 15).

At the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Sydney Sixers won the toss and opted to bat first against last season’s runners-up, Adelaide Strikers, with an unchanged playing XI. The Sixers lost Alyssa Healy early in the innings, courtesy of Darcie Brown, but her opening partner Suzie Bates and captain Ellyse Perry settled the early nerves.

After a slow start, the pair got the run rate going after the power play. Bates scored 15 runs in Amanda-Jade Wellington’s second over to break the shackle. Wellington, the highest wicket-taker from the seventh season of WBBL, was on the receiving end as Perry and Bates went after the leg spinner. The pair smashed the first century partnership of the eighth season to boost the Sixers. Ashleigh Gardner smashed the last ball of the innings to take her team past 150.

Adelaide Strikers’ started on a positive note, with former West Indies international Deandra Dottin hitting a six over long-on. Dottin showcased her power with an array of shots to score 25 runs off 17 balls. English international Sophie Ecclestone broke the threatening partnership with the wicket of Dottin. Laura Wolvaardt and Katie Mack added 44 runs for the second wicket to keep Strikers in the chase.

Strikers’ captain Tahlia McGrath smashed a four off the first ball she faced but soon perished against Ecclestone. None of the Strikers' batters could add a partnership, and they could only score 134 runs in the chase. Sixers won their second match of the season as Ecclestone took four wickets.

Also Read: Focussed on processes, not on outcomes: Jess Jonassen

In the second match of the day, Brisbane Heat won the toss and opted to bat against Melbourne Stars. The Heat started with a new opening pair of Georgia Redmayne and Ellie Johnston. The pair started well, adding 25 runs in the power-play. The 19-year-old Johnston was the attacker-in-chief for the Heat as she smashed 54 runs off just 34 balls. Sophie Day cut short Johnston’s magnificent innings to give a massive breakthrough. Redmayne departed in the next over to leave Heat at 98 for two in the 11th over.

Voll’s late hitting propelled Heat to 179 for three in the first innings. Sasha Moloney was the most economical bowler for the home side as she conceded 19 runs in three overs and took the wicket of Amelia Kerr for 24.

Melbourne Stars’ English imports Lauren Winfield-Hill and Bess Heath gave them the start they needed with the opening partnership of 76 runs. Winfield-Hill, fresh off her scintillating performance in England’s domestic season, scored 74 off 51 balls. Another English teenage sensation, Alice Capsey, walked in at three and scored 15 runs off nine balls.

Annabel Sutherland played a lone hand in the chase with limited support from the other end. The Australian international smashed Jess Jonassen for three back-to-back fours to give her side some hope. With 14 runs required from the last over, Jonassen took three wickets and gave away just four runs to lead Heat to their first victory in the WBBL08.

Brief Scores:

Sydney Sixers 151 for two in 20 overs (Suzie Bates 82*; Darcie Brown 1/20) beat Adelaide Strikes 134/9 in 20 overs (Katie Mack 34; Sophie Ecclestone 4/17) by 17 runs

Brisbane Heat 179 for three in 20 overs (Ellie Johnston 54; Sasha Moloney 1/19) beat Melbourne Stars 170 for eight in 20 overs (Lauren Winfield-Hill 74; Jess Jonassen 3/36) by nine runs

Melbourne stars Sydney Sixers Brisbane Heat Adelaide Strikers Women's Big Bash League 08, 2022