Bridget Patterson led the Adelaide Strikers to an 11-run victory over the Sydney Sixers with 44 runs, but she was removed from the field while taking wickets later in the game after a Darcie Brown ball flew up and struck her close to the right eye.
Thanks to a pair of early wickets taken by Lauren Cheatle, Patterson came in at 22/3 and quickly collected runs, hitting six fours and a six in her 32-ball innings. To create the ideal conditions for Amanda-Jade Wellington’s cameo of 40 off 16 balls, she and Orla Prendergast added 54 runs for the fifth wicket.
The Strikers reached 171 in their 20 overs, a respectable total on the North Sydney Oval pitch, despite Ashleigh Gardner taking four wickets.
Hollie Armitage was dismissed early in the reply, but Ellyse Perry got a fast start and scored 54 off 28 balls. However, Brown’s dismissal of her gave the Strikers some control, aided by Gardner’s subsequent wicket.
After Sarah Bryce steadied the innings and scored 62 off 44, the Sixers lost five wickets for 18 runs when Megan Schutt bowled her in the 17th over.
While Wellington, who was outstanding with the bat initially, contributed a few wickets, Anesu Mushangwe took 3 for 27. After losing their first WBBL game of the season, the Strikers gained momentum after this victory.
Brief Scores: Adelaide Strikers defeated Sydney Sixers 160/9 (Bryce 62; Perry 54; Mushangwe 3-27) by 11 runs at 171 all out (Patterson 44; Wellington 40; Gardner 4-32).
