Ellyse Perry played a stellar innings of 86 runs, leading the Sydney Sixers to a hard-fought six-run victory over the Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL. Perry’s performance, which included 11 boundaries and two sixes, was the backbone of the Sixers’ total of 155 for 7, as they edged out the Hurricanes in a thrilling encounter.
Perry’s knock was complemented by crucial contributions from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Elyse Villani, Chloe Tryon, and Lauren Smith, who helped get the Hurricanes close to the target. However, they ultimately fell short, finishing at 149 for 9. This win marked the Sixers’ 19th victory in their last 21 encounters with the Hurricanes, extending their dominance to seven straight wins in Hobart.
The match also saw impressive bowling performances, notably from the 15-year-old Caoimhe Bray, who claimed the key wickets of Nicola Carey and Tryon. English spinner Sophie Ecclestone was also a standout with the ball, playing an instrumental role in defending the total.
Perry’s innings nearly came to an early end when she was dropped at square leg on just 4, but she made the Hurricanes pay for the mistake, adding 37 runs with Ashleigh Gardner and 61 with Hollie Armitage. In the final stages of the innings, Perry hit 14 runs off the last three balls of the penultimate over, including a towering six over deep extra cover.
The Hurricanes’ chase got off to a strong start with Lizelle Lee smashing a boundary off the first ball, but she was dismissed LBW on the very next delivery. Despite being well placed at 46 for 1 after six overs, the Hurricanes lost key wickets in quick succession. Bray’s impressive bowling, which included a diving catch behind the stumps by Alyssa Healy and two wickets in the 16th over, swung the match in the Sixers’ favour.
Perry praised her team’s defensive effort, highlighting the role of Bray and Ecclestone in securing the win. With this victory, the Sixers continued their strong start to the season, with Perry now having accumulated 252 runs from four innings, including three half-centuries and a 31 not out.
