Gardner's explosive 18-Ball fifty help Sydney Sixers stay unbeaten

On Sunday, November 8, Sydney Sixers defeated Sydney Thunder in the rain-impacted 16-over-a-side Sydney derby at the North Sydney Oval. Ash Gardner's all-round performance (25-ball 64 and 2-37) contributed to the Nine-Run Win (DLS Method). She was aided by Ellyse Perry's 51-ball 59* and Caoimhe Bray's 4-28 in Sixers' fourth consecutive victory, consolidating their position at the top of the league.

Sixers struggled to score big shots when they were put in to bat. Even though there were occasionally boundary hits, Sophia Dunkley left for a run-a-ball 15, and Melie Kerr struggled, particularly against Hannah Darlington.

Kerr had only managed 14 out of 17 balls when rain stopped play at the end of the ninth over. Perry, on the other side, faced 22 deliveries but was unable to hit a run-a-ball. Melie was benched after the rain break reduced each team's quota by four overs, and the Sixers resumed the game with renewed vigor.

Perry started the game by looking for boundaries in the first two legitimate deliveries after the break, and Gardner broke free right away. She hit five sixes and five boundaries in 25 balls. Perry reached her half-century by scoring three boundaries in the final out, ending the innings and putting the Sixers at 162 for 2.

Thunder responded by losing Phoebe Litchfield and Voll, the team's openers, early in the chase. They were already at 34 for 3 by the middle of the fourth over. With a 10-ball blitz that helped her score 35, Laura Harris created some momentum; however, with the exception of Nadine de Klerk, there were no significant contributions from the opposing team. They were bowled out for 158, nine short of the par score, after consistently losing wickets.