Gardner’s 18-Ball Fifty Powers Sixers Past Thunder in Rain-Hit Sydney Derby

Ashleigh Gardner smashed the equal second-fastest fifty in WBBL history as Sydney Sixers beat Sydney Thunder by nine runs in a rain-shortened derby at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

Reduced to 16 overs a side, the Sixers posted 162 for two, with Gardner racing to an unbeaten 64 off just 25 balls — reaching her fifty in 18 deliveries after being dropped on nought — and Ellyse Perry adding an unbeaten 59 from 41 balls.

Set a revised target of 168 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, the Thunder fought hard but were bowled out for 158 with three balls remaining, despite 35 from Laura Harris and 30 from Nadine de Klerk.

Bray stars with ball and in the field

Teenager Caoimhe Bray finished with four for 28 and produced a stunning boundary catch to dismiss Jemma Barsby, one of the standout moments of the season so far, while Gardner also chipped in with two wickets.

Sixers stay perfect

The win keeps the Sixers unbeaten at 4-0 and joint top of the table, while the Thunder slip to 2-2 after a brave chase that fell just short.

Source: Cricbuzz