Gardner, Perry star in Sixers’ WBBL win

Star allrounder Ellyse Perry has fallen just short of a birthday half-century but it mattered little as the Sydney Sixers powered their way to a 31-run WBBL victory over the Hobart Hurricanes at the WACA Ground.

Perry, who turned 31 on Wednesday, continued her strong form with the bat by posting 47 off 52 balls, while player-of-the-match Ashleigh Gardner (51 off 49 balls) recorded her highest score of the season to lead the Sixers to 4-141.

In reply, the Hurricanes were restricted to 7-110, with opener Rachel Priest (27 off 29 balls) and Molly Strano (22no off 16 balls) the only two batters to get going.

Sixers star Nicole Bolton snared 2-28 with the ball and also took a spectacular diving catch to remove Priest.

Maitlan Brown was crucial with 2-15 off her four overs, while Perry returned figures of 1-9 off her two overs.

The Sixers’ fourth win of the season moves them into equal second spot on the ladder, while Hobart have now lost three on the trot and have just two wins from nine games.

The day started splendidly for Hobart after they snared the prized scalp of Sixers star Alyssa Healy for one in the first over.

It was in stark contrast to three days earlier when Healy carried her bat and scored an unbeaten 94 off 57 balls in a crushing win over the Perth Scorchers.

Gardner and Perry struggled to get into the groove early as the Sixers crawled to 1-5 after three overs.

Perry in particular found the going tough, posting just three runs off her first 12 balls.

But she and Gardner soon flourished, with the pair combining for a 103-run stand that helped set up a competitive total.

Gardner cracked eight boundaries in her knock, while Perry posted four fours and a six.

Bolton (18no off nine balls) added the late fireworks.

Hobart were unable to keep up with the required run rate after losing wickets at regular intervals.