Maisy Gibson marked her 100th Women’s Big Bash League appearance with a disciplined spell and the wicket of Amelia Kerr, but the milestone ended in agony as the Melbourne Stars fell one run short against the Sydney Sixers at the Junction Oval on Friday, 6 November. The 30-year-old leg-spinner’s landmark came in the fourth game of the Stars’ campaign in the 12th edition of the WBBL, which runs from 29 October to 5 December 2026.
Gibson’s figures of 2-0-18-1 may not have been spectacular, but they reflected the control and experience that have made her such a valuable presence across three WBBL clubs. She accounted for Amelia Kerr for just three off four balls in the first innings, striking at a moment when the Sixers were looking to build momentum. Sydney Sixers skipper Ashleigh Gardner had won the toss and opted to bat first, and the Sixers eventually posted 160/5 in their 20 overs.
The Stars’ chase, however, fell agonisingly short. Chasing 161, Melbourne were restricted to 159/7, losing by a single run. It was their third consecutive defeat of the campaign, leaving them fifth on the points table with two points from four games. Their solitary win came in the campaign opener, an 18-run victory over the defending champions, the Hobart Hurricanes.
For Maisy Gibson, the milestone was a fitting reflection of a career built on consistency rather than flash. She made her WBBL debut for the Sydney Thunder against the Brisbane Heat in Hobart, and went on to pick up 36 wickets at an average of 19.41 and an economy of 6.47 in 37 innings and 39 matches with the ball for the Thunder. Her move to the Hobart Hurricanes in 2019 marked the next chapter, with her debut for the club coming on 19 October 2019 against the Melbourne Stars in Melbourne.
Her time with the Hurricanes produced 34 wickets at an average of 23.61 and an economy of 7.21 in 35 innings, including a couple of four-wicket hauls, across 37 matches. Her best WBBL performance came while representing the Hurricanes against the Melbourne Renegades in Hobart on 3 November 2022, when she returned with impressive figures of 4-0-24-4. The Hurricanes won that game by four wickets while chasing 134, and Gibson was deservedly named Player of the Match.
Gibson moved to the Melbourne Stars in 2024, making her debut for the club on 27 October 2024 against the Perth Scorchers at the W.A.C.A. in Perth. Since then, she has picked up 15 wickets at an average of 19.33 and an economy of 7.73 in 19 innings and 24 matches with the ball for the Stars. In the ongoing 12th edition, she is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Melbourne Stars alongside former skipper Annabel Sutherland, with five wickets at an average of 12.80 and an economy of 7.11 in four innings and matches.
Overall, Gibson has now picked up 85 wickets at an average of 21.08 and an economy of 6.97 in 91 innings, including a couple of four-wicket hauls, across 100 matches with the ball. Her contributions have not been limited to the ball, either, as she has also scored 140 runs at a strike rate of 79.09 in 36 innings with the bat over the years.
As the Stars look to arrest their slide, Gibson’s experience will be crucial. Melbourne Stars, led by skipper Meg Lanning, will next face the Perth Scorchers, led by skipper Beth Mooney, at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney on 8 November 2026 in the 16th match of the tournament, starting at 11:40 AM IST. For Gibson, the focus will now shift from celebrating a century of appearances to helping her side turn the tide in a campaign that has yet to find its rhythm.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.