Ashleigh Gardner produced a sensational all-round performance, smashing 124 from 60 balls and claiming three wickets, as Sydney Sixers Women crushed Hobart Hurricanes Women by 87 runs in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026–27 at Drummoyne Oval on November 1. Earlier at the same venue, Heather Knight’s unbeaten half-century helped Sydney Thunder Women chase down 179 against Brisbane Heat Women with 20 balls remaining.
The two Sydney-based teams delivered impressive victories, although their paths to success were very different. Sydney Thunder relied on aggressive batting from Phoebe Litchfield, Heather Knight and Laura Harris to overhaul Brisbane Heat’s competitive 178/5 in just 16.4 overs. Sydney Sixers, meanwhile, recovered from a disastrous start of 6/3 to post 196/8, thanks to Gardner’s remarkable century and Alice Capsey’s unbeaten 54, before dismissing Hobart Hurricanes for 109.
Sydney Thunder Beat Brisbane Heat by Six Wickets
Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne Power Heat to 178/5
Brisbane Heat elected to bat first and posted a challenging 178/5, built around half-centuries from Grace Harris and captain Georgia Redmayne.
After Charli Knott departed for 16 in the third over, Harris and Redmayne combined for a crucial 99-run second-wicket partnership. Harris attacked the Thunder bowling with seven boundaries and two sixes, scoring 58 from 37 deliveries.
Redmayne provided stability while maintaining a healthy scoring rate, contributing 57 from 44 balls with four fours and a six.
Georgia Voll eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Harris in the 14th over. She also removed Yastika Bhatia for one, leaving Brisbane at 120/3.
Orla Prendergast added valuable late runs, striking five boundaries in her 28 from 20 deliveries. Annie O’Neil contributed eight not out, including a six, as the Heat finished on 178/5.
Voll was Thunder’s leading wicket-taker with 2/25 from three overs, while Samantha Bates, Lauren Bell and Nadine de Klerk claimed one wicket each.
Litchfield Provides Explosive Start to Thunder’s Chase
Sydney Thunder faced a demanding target of 179, but captain Phoebe Litchfield immediately attacked Brisbane’s bowling.
Although Georgia Voll fell for just two, Litchfield struck 41 from only 19 deliveries, including six fours and a six, at a strike rate of 215.78.
Her aggressive approach helped Thunder reach 54/2 after six overs, keeping the required run rate under control despite the early wickets.
Anika Learoyd then contributed an important 37 from 28 balls, striking two fours and two sixes.
Together with Heather Knight, she added 63 runs for the third wicket, guiding Thunder to 117/3 in the 13th over.
Heather Knight and Laura Harris Seal Comfortable Victory
Heather Knight took charge of the chase with an outstanding unbeaten innings.
The England international struck 54 not out from 29 balls, including seven boundaries and two sixes, reaching her half-century from just 27 deliveries.
Laura Harris provided explosive support, smashing 35 from 16 balls with six fours and a six.
Their 59-run fourth-wicket partnership came from only 24 deliveries and effectively settled the contest.
Although Lily Bassingthwaighte dismissed Harris in the 17th over, Nadine de Klerk struck a boundary from her first delivery to complete the chase.
Sydney Thunder reached 180/4 in 16.4 overs, securing a convincing six-wicket victory with 20 balls remaining.
Knight was named Player of the Match for her decisive unbeaten half-century.
Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat – Match Summary
Brisbane Heat Women – 178/5 in 20 Overs (Grace Harris 58 (37), Georgia Redmayne 57 (44), Orla Prendergast 28 (20); Georgia Voll 2/25)
Sydney Thunder Women – 180/4 in 16.4 Overs (Heather Knight 54* (29), Phoebe Litchfield 41 (19), Anika Learoyd 37 (28), Laura Harris 35 (16); Lily Bassingthwaighte 2/31)
Result: Sydney Thunder Women won by six wickets with 20 balls remaining.
Player of the Match: Heather Knight (Sydney Thunder) – 54* (29)
Sydney Sixers Thrash Hobart Hurricanes by 87 Runs
Sixers Collapse to 6/3 Before Gardner’s Stunning Recovery
Sydney Sixers endured a nightmare start after Hobart Hurricanes elected to field first.
Sophia Dunkley departed for a duck in the opening over, while Ellyse Perry managed just three before falling to Nicola Carey.
Chinelle Henry then dismissed Melie Kerr for one, reducing the Sixers to a remarkable 6/3 after 2.3 overs.
With three leading batters already dismissed, Hobart appeared firmly in control.
However, captain Ashleigh Gardner and Alice Capsey produced an extraordinary recovery that completely transformed the match.
Ashleigh Gardner Smashes Magnificent 124
Gardner counterattacked with remarkable confidence, taking on the Hurricanes bowlers and rapidly shifting the momentum.
She reached her half-century from 34 deliveries before accelerating dramatically through the middle and closing overs.
The Australian all-rounder brought up her century from just 51 balls, striking nine fours and six sixes along the way.
Gardner eventually finished with a sensational 124 from 60 deliveries, including 10 boundaries and nine sixes, at a strike rate of 206.66.
Capsey provided excellent support, remaining unbeaten on 54 from 40 balls, with five fours and a six.
The pair added a remarkable 176 runs for the fourth wicket, taking Sydney Sixers from 6/3 to 182/4.
Heather Graham eventually dismissed Gardner in the 18th over, but the damage had already been done.
Although the Sixers lost several late wickets, they finished on an imposing 196/8 from 20 overs.
Nicola Carey claimed 3/31 for Hobart, while Henry and Molly Strano took two wickets each.
Gardner and Kerr Dismantle Hurricanes’ Chase
Hobart Hurricanes needed 197 for victory but suffered a disastrous top-order collapse.
Caoimhe Bray removed Chamari Athapaththu for 10 and Rachel Trenaman for a duck, while Gardner dismissed Lizelle Lee for five and captain Nicola Carey for one.
Melie Kerr then removed Heather Graham, leaving Hobart struggling at 26/5 after 7.2 overs.
Maddy Green and Chinelle Henry attempted to rebuild the innings with a 52-run partnership.
Henry played aggressively, scoring 32 from 20 balls with five boundaries, before Gardner dismissed her in the 14th over.
Green continued to resist, finishing unbeaten on 42 from 33 deliveries, but the Hurricanes never recovered from their early collapse.
Kerr cleaned up the lower order, finishing with 3/25 from 2.4 overs, while Gardner returned excellent figures of 3/23 from three overs.
Bray also impressed with 2/14 from four overs as Hobart Hurricanes were dismissed for 109 in 17.4 overs.
Sydney Sixers completed an emphatic 87-run victory, with Gardner deservedly receiving the Player of the Match award for one of the standout individual performances of the early WBBL season.
Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes – Match Summary
Sydney Sixers Women – 196/8 in 20 Overs (Ashleigh Gardner 124 (60), Alice Capsey 54* (40); Nicola Carey 3/31, Chinelle Henry 2/8)
Hobart Hurricanes Women – 109 all out in 17.4 Overs (Maddy Green 42* (33), Chinelle Henry 32 (20); Ashleigh Gardner 3/23, Melie Kerr 3/25, Caoimhe Bray 2/14)
Result: Sydney Sixers Women won by 87 runs.
Player of the Match: Ashleigh Gardner (Sydney Sixers) – 124 (60) and 3/23
WBBL 2026–27: November 1 Results
Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers both collected two points from their victories at Drummoyne Oval.
Thunder’s successful pursuit of 179 demonstrated their batting strength, with Litchfield’s explosive start and Knight’s unbeaten finish ensuring a comfortable victory.
The Sixers produced the day’s most remarkable performance, recovering from 6/3 through Gardner and Capsey’s record-sized partnership for the match before delivering a dominant bowling display.
Gardner’s 124 and three wickets made her the standout performer of November 1, while Knight’s unbeaten 54 ensured Sydney Thunder also continued their winning start to the competition.
Also Read | Sydney Sixers’ last-ball win over Brisbane Heat
