Sydney Sixers Women held their nerve in a nail-biting finish to defeat Melbourne Stars Women by just one run in the 12th match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 at Melbourne on November 6, 2026. An unbeaten half-century from Ellyse Perry, supported by Ashleigh Gardner and Erin Burns, helped the Sixers post a competitive total before their bowlers successfully defended it despite a spirited late fightback from the Stars.
After being put under pressure early in their innings, the Sydney Sixers needed a dependable contribution from their experienced campaigners. However, their opening partnership did not last long, as Sophia Dunkley managed just one run from seven deliveries before being dismissed by Sophie Day in the third over, leaving the Sixers at 11/1. Melie Kerr joined Perry at the crease, but her stay was also brief, scoring three off four balls before falling to Maisy Gibson. The second wicket arrived at 25 in the fifth over, putting the Sixers under early pressure.
Captain Ashleigh Gardner then joined Perry, and the pair brought much-needed stability to the innings. Perry continued to find the boundaries while Gardner played an attacking supporting role, striking one four and two sixes in her 23-ball 34. Their partnership of 67 runs lifted the Sixers from 25/2 to 92/3, putting the innings back on track. However, Gardner’s dismissal in the 12th over, stumped by Amy Jones off the bowling of Charlie Dean, brought an end to the valuable stand.
Alice Capsey could not make a significant contribution, managing just three runs from eight deliveries before Annabel Sutherland bowled her in the 14th over. The Sixers were subsequently reduced to 98/4, but Perry continued to hold one end together. Erin Burns joined her and provided the acceleration required during the closing stages.
The duo added 62 runs for the fifth wicket, taking the score to 160/5 by the end of 20 overs. Burns contributed a brisk 29 off 21 deliveries, including three fours and a six, before being run out in the final over. Perry remained unbeaten on 84 from 57 balls, smashing 13 fours and one six at a strike rate of 147.36. Her outstanding innings proved instrumental in taking Sydney Sixers to 160/5, with six extras also contributing to the total.
For Melbourne Stars, Sophie Day, Maisy Gibson, Charlie Dean and Annabel Sutherland claimed one wicket each. Day was economical with figures of 4-0-20-1, while Gibson picked up 1/18 from two overs. Dean returned 1/27 in her four overs, and Sutherland finished with 1/34. Kim Garth conceded 37 runs without taking a wicket, while Dani Gibson gave away 23 runs in her two overs.
Chasing 161 for victory, Melbourne Stars suffered an immediate setback when Rhys McKenna was bowled by Lauren Cheatle for a duck off the very first delivery. Captain Meg Lanning joined Amy Jones, but the Sixers continued to apply pressure. Lanning was dismissed for two off six deliveries by Melie Kerr, leaving the Stars at 29/2 after 4.2 overs.
Jones and Annabel Sutherland attempted to rebuild the innings, adding 25 runs for the third wicket. Jones scored a valuable 28 off 26 deliveries, including four boundaries, before Frankie Nicklin dismissed her in the ninth over. Sutherland then continued the recovery alongside Naomi Stalenberg, with the pair adding eight runs before Sutherland departed for 22 off 15 balls, having struck two fours and a six. She was caught by Dunkley off Perry’s bowling, leaving Melbourne at 62/4.
Stalenberg and Charlie Dean attempted to steady the chase, but their partnership was cut short when Stalenberg was run out for 19 from 17 deliveries through a combined effort involving Capsey and Kerr. The Stars were reduced to 97/5 in the 13th over. Dean then joined Dani Gibson, and the duo added 37 runs for the sixth wicket, keeping Melbourne’s hopes alive. However, Gardner struck at a crucial moment, dismissing Dean leg-before-wicket for 25 off 21 deliveries.
Dani Gibson took responsibility for the chase and produced an aggressive knock of 31 from just 20 balls, including two fours and two sixes. She added 20 runs with Georgia Prestwidge for the seventh wicket before falling to Sarah Coyte in the 20th over at 154/7. Prestwidge kept the contest alive with an unbeaten 21 off 13 deliveries, while Kim Garth remained not out on one from one ball. Despite their efforts, Melbourne Stars finished on 159/7, falling agonisingly short by one run.
Lauren Cheatle led the Sydney Sixers bowling attack with figures of 1/29 from four overs, including a maiden. Melie Kerr (1/21), Ashleigh Gardner (1/37), Ellyse Perry (1/5), Frankie Nicklin (1/10) and Sarah Coyte (1/27) also claimed a wicket apiece. Caoimhe Bray conceded 28 runs in three overs without taking a wicket. Perry’s economical contribution with the ball was particularly valuable in a closely contested finish.
With Ellyse Perry’s match-defining unbeaten 84 and a collective bowling effort under pressure, Sydney Sixers Women secured a memorable one-run victory over Melbourne Stars Women in WBBL 12. Despite the Stars’ determined chase and late contributions from Dani Gibson and Georgia Prestwidge, the Sixers held their composure to defend 160 and claim two valuable points in the Women’s Big Bash League.
Loves all things female cricket