In a dazzling display of skill and determination, the Sydney Sixers Women’s team carved a memorable chapter in their history, marked by a stellar performance from their captain, Ellyse Perry. The match against the Melbourne Renegades will be etched in the minds of fans as Perry showcased her prowess with both bat and ball, propelling the Sixers to a resounding seven-wicket victory in the Weber WBBL.
The turning point of the game was Perry’s remarkable bowling spell, a triumphant return to the bowling crease after recovering from a knee injury suffered in July. Bowling for the first time since the injury, Perry dismantled the Renegades’ batting lineup with a career-best figure of 5-22. Her strategic brilliance and precision left the Renegades reeling at 104 all out in 19.5 overs.
Perry’s impact wasn’t limited to the bowling department. In a masterclass of batting, the 33-year-old amassed an unbeaten 44 off 39 balls, steering the Sixers to a comfortable victory with 27 balls to spare. Notably, during her innings, Perry surpassed 4000 WBBL runs, joining the elite club alongside Beth Mooney.
The win breathed new life into the Sixers’ WBBL campaign, propelling them from the bottom to the sixth position in the standings with a 2-5 record. This victory was crucial for the Sixers, particularly after being the runners-up in the previous season.
Perry’s impact on the Renegades’ batting lineup was nothing short of extraordinary. She struck early, dismissing Tammy Beaumont for 6 in her first over. The following over proved even more devastating, as Perry claimed the wickets of Jess Duffin (1) and Georgia Prestwidge (0) in consecutive balls. Duffin fell victim to a wider delivery, caught behind, while Prestwidge had no answer to a brilliant delivery that nipped back in, crashing into the stumps.
Perry’s brilliance continued as she dismissed Georgia Wareham (10) with a delivery that seamed off the pitch, leaving the Renegades struggling at 5-30. Although the hat-trick eluded her, Perry secured her maiden WBBL five-for when Suzie Bates took a spectacular catch to dismiss Josie Dooley for 19.
In the post-match interview, Perry expressed her satisfaction with the return to bowling, attributing her success to a bit of beginner’s luck. She revealed a quirky mantra adopted by the Sixers to boost their confidence—a nursery rhyme. Erin Burns, a teammate and mother, has been singing “Incy Wincy Spider” to her son Jack. Perry shared the hope that the team goes “up the water spout,” signifying a positive turn in their season.
Perry acknowledged that the Sixers, while not performing poorly, lacked confidence in critical moments. The comprehensive victory against the Renegades is seen as a potential kick-starter for the team, injecting confidence and setting the tone for the rest of the season.
As the Sydney Sixers celebrate this significant win, it marks another glorious chapter in their history—a chapter where Ellyse Perry’s all-round brilliance shone brightly, inspiring the team and leaving an indelible mark on the WBBL.
