Star allrounder Ashleigh Gardner has produced the ultimate captain's performance to lead the Sydney Sixers to a crushing 10-wicket WBBL win over the Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground.
Gardner's first match as full-time Sixers skipper was as close to perfection as you could get, with the 28-year-old snaring a remarkable 5-15 off four overs as Perth were skittled for 109.
The Muruwari off-spinner's rampage began with the key wicket of Sophie Devine, who was stumped in almost accidental fashion after Palawa wicketkeeper Emma Manix-Geeves fumbled the ball.
Now this is interesting.
Sophie Devine could not believe she was given out at the WACA Ground, but the Scorchers skipper had to go. #WBBL11 pic.twitter.com/C81NwpJ68J
- Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 9, 2025
Gardner's performance marks the best bowling figures by a Sixers player in WBBL history.
In reply to Perth's meagre total, the Sixers then raced to the victory target with a whopping 43 balls to spare courtesy of breezy knocks from Sophia Dunkley (61no off 40 balls) and Ellyse Perry (47no off 37 balls).
Sydney finished at 0-112 from 12.5 overs in a performance that will send a huge warning to the rest of their opponents.
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"It was a lot of fun," Gardner said.
"We knew the WACA was going to produce a little bit more bounce, so for me it was about making sure to hit my lengths."
Australian Associated Press
