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In Friday’s clashes of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2023, Sydney Thunder Women played against the Melbourne Stars Women team in the first game at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney, while the Sydney Sixers Women took on Hobart Hurricanes Women in the subsequent encounter on the same venue.
Hannah Darlington powers Syndey Thunder to a memorable win
Opting to bat first, the Thunders got off to a promising start, with Chamari Athapaththu and Tahlia Wilson contributing 30 runs for the initial wicket. However, Wilson departed after scoring 13 runs off 15 balls. Subsequently, Athapaththu and Phoebe Litchfield fell to Rhys McKenna in the seventh over. Despite consistent wicket losses, Heather Knight anchored sensibly, guiding her team past the 100-run mark before falling five runs short of her half-century. Sophie Day‘s impressive bowling spell resulted in her claiming four wickets, limiting Thunders to 125/9 in 20 overs.
In pursuit of 126, the Stars encountered an early setback with Sophia Dunkley‘s departure on the second ball. However, a promising partnership between Alice Capsey and the seasoned leader Meg Lanning bolstered their innings with a commendable 45-run standoff of 36 deliveries for the second wicket. Despite this, a sudden collapse saw the Stars plummet to 62 for 6, losing wickets rapidly.
Maia Bouchier and Sasha Moloney contributed 25 runs before Bouchier’s dismissal for 23 off 28 balls. Moloney added 12 to the total. The match took a thrilling turn when the number 11 batter, Milly Illingworth, ignited hope with aggressive strokes, bringing the equation down to 9 runs in the final over. However, Athapaththu’s impressive bowling for her team held the Stars to finish four runs short of their target at 121.
The standout performance of the match belonged to Hannah Darlington, who claimed an impressive five-wicket haul, conceding just ten runs in her spell.
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Chloe Tyron shines in Sydney Sixers’ victory
Batting first, the Ellyse Perry-led side began their batting but faced early setbacks, with Maitlan Brown departing for a quick four runs and Perry unable to convert her start, making 24 off 23 balls. However, Ashleigh Gardner and Chloe Tryon‘s partnership revitalized the innings with a brisk 73 run addition for the fourth wicket. Gardner contributed 32 off 19 balls, while Tryon narrowly missed her half-century, scoring 40 runs. Despite some quick wickets, Suzie Bates‘ unbeaten 35 off 21 balls boosted the Sixers to a strong 166/8 in 20 overs.
The Hurricanes’ chase stumbled early, losing their top four batters within the first eight overs, leaving them at 35/4. Attempts at recovery by Heather Graham and Naomi Stalenberg were interrupted when Graham departed for 22 off 24 balls. Stalenberg fought to maintain the pace but fell for 36 off 22 balls. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, leading to a total of 109/9 in 16.4 overs for the Hurricanes. Shabnim Ismail couldn’t bat due to a finger injury, resulting in a convincing 57-run victory for the Sixers.
Lauren Cheatle, Linsey Smith and Tryon claimed a couple of wickets each for the Sixers, while Perry, Gardner and Kate Peterson each chipped in with one wicket to contribute to their team’s winning cause.
