Amelia Kerr had an impressive debut for the Sydney Sixers, while Ellyse Perry’s consistent batting form continued as they defeated Melbourne Stars in a rain-interrupted match at Junction Oval.
The game was shortened to 18 overs per side due to rain delays. Melbourne Stars began aggressively, with opener Ines McKeon smashing 16 off 7 balls, including two sixes, before Perry broke the opening stand. Sophie Ecclestone, the standout bowler for Sixers, bowled Meg Lanning and ended Yastika Bhatia’s slow innings shortly after.
Captain Annabel Sutherland steadied the Stars' innings with Marizanne Kapp, but when they needed quick runs, the Sixers struck again. Kapp’s run-out triggered a mini-collapse, leaving Stars at a modest total of 122/7. Ecclestone ended with three wickets, and Kerr took two.
Kim Garth briefly gave the Stars hope by removing Sarah Bryce early in the Sixers’ chase, but Perry, in top form, halted further breakthroughs. Kerr, back from injury and in excellent touch after her T20 World Cup performance, provided solid support.
With a manageable required run rate, Perry and Kerr paced their innings effectively, keeping ahead of the DLS target. They added over 100 runs for the second wicket, bringing Sixers to 104/1 in 15 overs before rain halted play again, sealing a Sixers win via the DLS method. This victory places the Sixers at the top of the table alongside Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers, though they have played one extra game.
Brief Scores:
Melbourne Stars 122/7 in 18 overs (Annabel Sutherland 42; Sophie Ecclestone 3/18, Amelia Kerr 2/36)
Sydney Sixers 104/1 in 15 overs (Ellyse Perry 48, Amelia Kerr 47) won by 6 runs via DLS