Ellyse Perry struck a crucial half-century as Sydney Sixers Women secured a dramatic four-wicket victory over Brisbane Heat Women on the final ball of their Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026–27 encounter at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, on October 30.
Chasing a competitive target of 155, the Sixers appeared to be in control for much of their innings thanks to Perry’s excellent 58 from 38 deliveries and Sophia Dunkley’s aggressive 37. However, Brisbane Heat fought back through Sianna Ginger and Charli Knott, taking wickets at important moments to push the contest into the final over.
With the result hanging in the balance, Sarah Coyte struck a boundary from the final delivery to take Sydney Sixers to 157/6 in 20 overs, sealing a thrilling four-wicket victory. Earlier, half-centuries from Georgia Redmayne and Charli Knott had powered Brisbane Heat to 154/5, but their efforts ultimately proved insufficient.
The victory earned Sydney Sixers their first two points of the WBBL 2026–27 season, while Brisbane Heat were left reflecting on a narrow defeat despite several impressive individual performances.
Charli Knott and Georgia Redmayne Rebuild Brisbane Heat’s Innings
Sydney Sixers captain Ashleigh Gardner won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to take advantage of the conditions at Allan Border Field.
Brisbane Heat began positively, but the early dismissal of explosive opener Grace Harris interrupted their momentum.
Harris managed just three runs from five deliveries before Lauren Cheatle dismissed her in the third over, leaving Brisbane at 20/1.
The setback brought captain Georgia Redmayne together with Charli Knott, and the pair produced an excellent recovery partnership.
Knott adopted an attacking approach, combining calculated aggression with effective strike rotation. Redmayne, meanwhile, provided stability while maintaining a healthy scoring rate.
The pair guided Brisbane Heat to 79/1 after 10 overs, putting the hosts in a promising position at the halfway stage.
Knott was particularly effective against the Sixers’ bowling attack, reaching her half-century from 38 balls with four boundaries and three sixes.
Redmayne also brought up her fifty, reaching the milestone from just 34 deliveries with eight fours.
Their partnership helped Brisbane move beyond 100 in the 13th over and established the foundation for a potentially challenging total.
Ashleigh Gardner Breaks Crucial Partnership
The Sixers desperately needed a breakthrough as Knott and Redmayne continued to build their partnership.
Captain Ashleigh Gardner provided it in the 15th over, dismissing Knott for 57 from 47 balls.
Knott’s innings included five boundaries and three sixes, and her departure ended an important 97-run partnership for the second wicket.
Brisbane Heat were 117/2 after 14.5 overs, with Redmayne still well placed to accelerate during the closing stages.
However, the Sixers managed to prevent the hosts from fully capitalising on their strong platform.
Caoimhe Bray dismissed Orla Prendergast for a duck, while Sarah Coyte removed Redmayne for an excellent 58 from 44 deliveries.
Redmayne’s innings included eight fours and helped keep Brisbane’s scoring rate above seven runs per over.
Annie O’Neil added a useful 18 from 12 balls before becoming Gardner’s second victim.
Lucy Hamilton contributed eight not out, while Sianna Ginger remained unbeaten on two as Brisbane Heat finished on 154/5 from 20 overs.
Gardner was Sydney Sixers’ most successful bowler, claiming 2/25 from four overs, while Melie Kerr produced an economical spell of 0/25.
Cheatle, Bray and Coyte each collected one wicket.
Despite losing only five wickets, Brisbane Heat could not generate the late acceleration required to push their total closer to 170.
Sophia Dunkley Provides Sydney Sixers With a Flying Start
Chasing 155 for victory, Sydney Sixers began confidently through Ellyse Perry and Sophia Dunkley.
The opening pair quickly settled into their innings, combining aggressive stroke play with effective running between the wickets.
Dunkley was particularly attacking, striking six boundaries during her 37 from just 26 deliveries.
The Sixers reached 37 without loss after four overs and completed their opening 50-run partnership in the sixth over.
Their positive start immediately reduced the required scoring rate and placed Brisbane Heat under pressure.
Sianna Ginger eventually provided the breakthrough, dismissing Dunkley in the seventh over with Sydney Sixers on 53.
However, Perry remained at the crease and continued to anchor the chase.
Ellyse Perry Anchors the Chase With Brilliant Fifty
Following Dunkley’s dismissal, Perry was joined by New Zealand all-rounder Melie Kerr.
The pair built another valuable partnership, combining controlled batting with timely boundaries.
Perry displayed her experience throughout the innings, finding gaps in the field and ensuring the required rate remained manageable.
The Sixers reached 73/1 at the halfway stage, with Perry on 28 and Kerr on eight.
As the innings progressed, Perry increased her attacking intent.
She brought up her half-century from 35 deliveries, reaching the milestone with seven boundaries.
Kerr provided useful support with 18 from 20 balls as the pair added 50 runs for the second wicket.
However, Brisbane Heat refused to surrender the contest.
Ginger returned to dismiss Kerr in the 14th over, leaving Sydney Sixers at 103/2.
Captain Ashleigh Gardner then fell for just two, caught off Sarah Glenn, as Brisbane reduced the visitors to 116/3.
The biggest breakthrough followed shortly afterwards.
Charli Knott dismissed Perry for 58 from 38 deliveries, including seven fours and one six, leaving the Sixers at 118/4 in the 16th over.
Perry’s departure gave Brisbane Heat renewed hope of defending their total.
Alice Capsey Keeps Sixers in Contention
With Perry back in the pavilion, Sydney Sixers needed their middle order to finish the chase.
Alice Capsey played an important role, remaining composed as Brisbane Heat attempted to build pressure.
The England batter struck three boundaries during an unbeaten 21 from 14 deliveries, keeping the Sixers within touching distance of the target.
Eva Ragg contributed four before Knott claimed her second wicket, leaving Sydney at 130/5 in the 18th over.
Erin Burns then provided valuable support, scoring 11 from 10 balls.
The contest became increasingly tense as Brisbane’s bowlers prevented the Sixers from completing the chase early.
Knott finished with 2/25 from three overs, completing an impressive all-round performance after her earlier half-century.
Ginger also returned excellent figures of 2/31, while Sarah Glenn conceded only 16 runs from four overs and claimed one wicket.
Glenn’s economy rate of 4.00 was particularly impressive in a match where both teams maintained competitive scoring rates.
Sarah Coyte Hits Winning Boundary Off Final Ball
The final over produced a dramatic finish.
Sydney Sixers entered the last six deliveries needing seven runs to win.
Brisbane Heat kept the pressure on, and the contest remained unresolved until the final two deliveries.
With Sydney on 153, Erin Burns was run out from the penultimate ball following a combined effort from Sianna Ginger and wicketkeeper Georgia Redmayne.
The dismissal brought Sarah Coyte to the crease with the Sixers requiring two runs from the final delivery.
Coyte immediately made her impact.
The experienced all-rounder struck a boundary from her first ball, taking Sydney Sixers to 157/6 after 20 overs and securing a remarkable four-wicket victory.
Alice Capsey remained unbeaten on 21, having played a crucial supporting role during the tense closing stages.
The result completed an entertaining contest in which both teams enjoyed periods of control before the Sixers prevailed at the last possible moment.
Ellyse Perry Named Player of the Match
Ellyse Perry received the Player of the Match award for her outstanding innings of 58 from 38 balls.
Her half-century provided the foundation for Sydney Sixers’ successful chase and helped them recover from the loss of their opening partner.
Although Brisbane Heat fought back through Knott, Ginger and Glenn, Perry’s contribution ensured the Sixers remained within reach of their target.
Knott also delivered one of the match’s standout performances, scoring 57 and taking two wickets.
Her contribution earned her the highest individual impact rating on the supplied scorecard, although Perry received the official Player of the Match award.
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers – Match Summary
Brisbane Heat Women – 154/5 in 20 Overs ( Georgia Redmayne 58 (44), Charli Knott 57 (47); Ashleigh Gardner 2/25)
Sydney Sixers Women – 157/6 in 20 Overs (Ellyse Perry 58 (38), Sophia Dunkley 37 (26), Alice Capsey 21* (14); Charli Knott 2/25, Sianna Ginger: 2/31
Result: Sydney Sixers Women won by four wickets off the final ball.
Player of the Match: Ellyse Perry (Sydney Sixers) – 58 (38)
