Melbourne Renegades led by skipper Sophie Molineux were up against Sydney Sixers led by skipper Ellyse Perry at the Adelaide Oval, in the 2nd match of the opening day of the landmark 10th edition of the tournament.
The Sixers won the toss and opted to field first. After being inserted to bat first, the Melbourne Renegades openers, Courtney Webb and Emma de Broughe got their side off to a solid start with a 58-run opening partnership, scoring at a rate of around 8 runs an over. Courtney Sippel picked up the wicket of Emma to provide the first breakthrough for the Sixers. The Renegades suffered a mini collapse as they lost their next three wickets for just 37 runs to bring the Sixers firmly back into the contest. Skipper Sophie Molineux joined Georgia Wareham at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 33-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take their side close to the 130-run mark.
Sophie Ecclestone picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Sophie Molineux to provide the 5th breakthrough for her side. Naomi Stalenberg joined Georgia Wareham at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 32-run partnership for the 6th wicket to take their side to the 160-run mark. The Melbourne Renegades eventually ended up with a total of 178/8 in their quota of 20 overs.
Georgia Wareham (61 off 31 balls), Courtney Webb (43 off 39 balls), skipper Sophie Molineux (17 off 10 balls), and Deandra Dottin (15 off 7 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Melbourne Renegades. Skipper Ellyse Perry (4-0-25-2), Sophie Ecclestone (4-0-35-2), and Courtney Sippel (3-0-33-2) were the top performers with the ball for Sydney Sixers.
Chasing a target of 179, the Sydney Sixers openers Hollie Armitage and skipper Ellyse Perry got their side off to a flying start with a 79-run opening partnership, scoring at around 11 runs an over. Skipper Sophie Molineux picked up the wicket of Hollie to provide the first breakthrough for the Renegades. Ashleigh Gardner soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the Renegades.
Wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce joined skipper Ellyse Perry at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 39-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to take their side past the 120-run mark. Wareham picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Perry to provide the much-needed breakthrough for her side. She scored her career-fastest half-century off just 23 balls before departing for a well-made 81 (38 balls).
Sydney Sixers eventually got over the line with three wickets in hand and one over to spare. Caoimhe Bray and wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce took their side over the line with an unbeaten 32-run 8th-wicket partnership. Skipper Ellyse Perry (81 off 38 balls), wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce (36* off 25 balls), Hollie Armitage (30 off 23 balls), and Caoimhe Bray (12* off 5 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Sydney Sixers. Georgia Wareham (3-0-26-3), Alice Capsey (3-0-22-2), skipper Sophie Molineux (4-0-31-1), and Linsey Smith (4-0-34-1) were the top performers with the ball for the Renegades.
Skipper Ellyse Perry was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational match-winning performance. She returned with match figures (4-0-25-2) with the ball and scored a match-winning half-century (81 off 38 balls).
