Gardner shines as Sixers end Hurricanes' unbeaten run

Two-time champions Sydney Sixers bounced back from the ignominy of being bowled out for 42 by handing the high-flying Hobart Hurricanes their first loss of WBBL 2025 in their sixth game. The Sixers managed only 147 on the board, but Ash Gardner played a starring role with the ball, her 4 for 36 helping bowl out the hosts for 136, resulting in an 11-run win.

It was with her final over that Gardner produced the star turn. Her first three overs in the target defence had gone for 34, but the veteran took the ball with the game in the balance—Hurricanes needing 19 off the final three overs with four wickets in hand. With the first ball, she cleaned up Hayley Silver-Holmes. Molly Strano then lost her stumps off the very next ball, attempting a similar big shot. Lauren Smith then mistimed Gardner's last ball of the over and picked out Sophia Dunkley at extra cover, leaving Hurricanes with only No. 11 Linsey Smith to partner Ellyse Villani, who had anchored the chase with a solid knock.

As it turned out, Lauren Cheatle needed only one ball at No. 11 Linsey Smith to close out the game, with Hurricanes losing by 11 runs with eight balls to spare.

Earlier in the game, Sixers—who had opted to bat—were propped up by a 75-run opening stand between Dunkley and Ellyse Perry. Dunkley hit eight boundaries in her 50 off 46 balls. But the Sixers endured another of their batting collapses through the back end, losing five wickets for four runs. On this day, however, they were able to get away and eke out a win.

Brief scores:
Sydney Sixers 147/9 in 20 overs (Sophia Dunkley 50; Heather Graham 4-29) beat Hobart Hurricanes 136 in 18.4 overs (Ellyse Villani 42*; Ash Gardner 4-36) by 11 runs.