Sixers suffer another WBBL loss as Strikers soar to top

Justin Chadwick | November 3, 2023

The Sydney Sixers’ WBBL campaign is in free-fall after they slumped to a five-wicket loss to the Adelaide Strikers in a grand final rematch at the WACA Ground.

In reply to the Sixers’ meagre 6-111 in 34-degree heat on Friday, Adelaide cruised to victory with 17 balls to spare courtesy of solid knocks from Katie Mack (50 off 45 balls) and Tahlia McGrath (36 off 29).

The result left the Sixers – last season’s runners-up – on the bottom of the table with a woeful 1-5 record in a campaign that features 14 matches per side.

Adding to their woes is the fact star wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy has already been ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring her finger while trying to break up a dog fight.

Defending champions Adelaide (4-2) are on top of the ladder alongside the Brisbane Heat (4-1).

The Sixers’ innings never got going, with Suzie Bates’ poor form continuing.

The New Zealand international was dismissed for eight when she swatted spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington to mid-on.

It continued a worrying run of form from Bates, who has posted scores of 6, 5, 3, 10, 18 and 8 this season.

Sixers star Ellyse Perry (14) was clean bowled by a brilliant delivery from Danielle Gibson, while Ashleigh Gardner departed for 25 when Annie O’Neil took a sharp catch jumping high at mid-wicket.

Maitlan Brown top-scored for the Sixers with an unbeaten 32 off 28 balls, but the total was well short of a par score at the WACA.

“It’s always nice to keep them to under a run a ball. It’s nice to chase that as a batter,” Mack told Fox Sports.

Gibson was the stand-out bowler with figures of 1-13 from her four overs, while Wellington and Anesu Mushangwe snared two wickets apiece.

The Strikers lost South African opener Laura Wolvaardt for five when she was bowled by Lauren Cheatle in the second over.

But a 77-run stand between Mack and McGrath set up the successful run chase, with some late wickets not nearly enough to halt the Strikers’ charge.

In the second match of Friday’s double-header at the WACA, the Perth Scorchers (3-2) face the struggling Melbourne Renegades (1-4).