T20-LEAGUE

Sixers vs Thunder WBBL|12: Gardner 64*, Sixers Win by 9 (DLS)

Published on November 8, 2026

Summary Overview: Sydney Sixers beat Sydney Thunder by 9 runs on the DLS method in a rain-reduced 16-over WBBL|12 derby at North Sydney Oval. Player of the Match Ashleigh Gardner hit 64 not out off 25 and took 2 for 37, Ellyse Perry made 59 not out, and Caoimhe Bray took 4 for 28. The Sixers have won all four games.

Who won? Sydney Sixers, by 9 runs on the DLS method at North Sydney Oval. Rain cut the match to 16 overs a side. The Sixers made 162 for 2, the Thunder's target was set at 168, and they were bowled out for 158 in 15.3 overs.

Who starred? Captain Ashleigh Gardner smashed 64 not out off 25 balls, with five fours and five sixes, then took 2 for 37, and was named Player of the Match. Ellyse Perry made 59 not out, and Caoimhe Bray took 4 for 28.

What about the Thunder? Laura Harris hit four sixes in a blistering 35 off 10 balls, and Nadine de Klerk made 30, but Bray removed both in the same over.

What does it mean? The Sixers have won all four of their games and lead the WBBL|12 table. It is the Thunder's second defeat in a row.

Match Report: The Sixers Win the Derby

For readers new to cricket: in a T20 match, each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries). When rain shortens a game, the DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method sets a fair target for the team batting second. Here, the Sixers' innings was interrupted, and the DLS method set the Thunder 168 to win in 16 overs, six more than the Sixers actually scored.

Sixers' Innings: Gardner and Perry Cut Loose

Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield won the toss and chose to bowl. Lauren Bell had Sophia Dunkley caught behind for 15, and Melie Kerr (14 off 17) was retired out, bringing in captain Gardner.

Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry added an unbroken 97 off just 37 balls. Gardner hit five sixes in 64 not out off 25, and Perry, who hit 11 fours, finished on 59 not out off 41. The Sixers took 19 runs from their Power Surge and finished on 162 for 2 from their 16 overs.

Thunder's Chase: Harris Goes Big, Bray Strikes Back

Caoimhe Bray bowled Litchfield, Anika Learoyd (14) was run out by Perry, and Bray had Georgia Voll caught next ball. The Thunder were 34 for 3 in the fourth over, and Coyte then removed Heather Knight (6).

Nadine de Klerk (30 off 24) and Laura Harris then gave the Thunder real hope, adding 52 off just 16 balls. Harris hit four sixes in 35 off 10, and at 108 for 4 after 10 overs, the Thunder needed 60 from 36 balls.

Then Bray returned and took both in the same over, having de Klerk caught behind by Capsey and Harris caught by Coyte. Gardner then took two wickets in the 12th over, removing Tahlia Wilson and Jemma Barsby, and the Thunder were 128 for 8. Lauren Bell (11) and Sam Bates (10 not out) added 21 for the last wicket, but Bell was run out, and the Thunder finished 9 runs short.

Turning Point: Bray's 11th Over

With Harris hitting sixes at will, the Thunder were in a strong position at 108 for 4. Bray's two wickets in the 11th over removed both set batters, and Gardner's double strike in the next over finished the job. The Thunder lost four wickets for 20 runs in 12 balls.

Stat Corner

Top Performers

Player	Team	Performance
Ashleigh Gardner (c)	Sydney Sixers	*64 (25), 5 fours, 5 sixes, and 2 for 37**, plus a catch and a run-out, Player of the Match
Ellyse Perry	Sydney Sixers	*59 (41)**, 11 fours, plus a run-out
Caoimhe Bray	Sydney Sixers	4 for 28 (4 overs), plus a catch
Sarah Coyte	Sydney Sixers	2 for 21 (2.3 overs), plus a catch
Laura Harris	Sydney Thunder	35 (10), 2 fours, 4 sixes
Nadine de Klerk	Sydney Thunder	30 (24), 5 fours
Lauren Bell	Sydney Thunder	1 for 26 (3 overs), and 11 (8)
Georgia Voll	Sydney Thunder	0 for 10 (2 overs)

* not out

How the Game Turned

Moment	Score
Sixers' powerplay	27 for 1 (4 overs)
Kerr retired out	65 for 1
Gardner and Perry stand	97* off 37 balls
Sixers total	162 for 2 (16 overs), DLS target 168
Thunder's early wickets	34 for 3 (3.3 overs)
De Klerk and Harris stand	52 off 16 balls for the 5th wicket
Four wickets for 20 runs	108 for 4 to 128 for 8
Thunder all out	158 (15.3 overs), 9 runs short

Playing XIs

Team	Playing XI
Sydney Sixers	Ellyse Perry, Sophia Dunkley, Melie Kerr, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Alice Capsey (wk), Erin Burns, Eva Ragg, Lauren Cheatle, Sarah Coyte, Caoimhe Bray, Frankie Nicklin
Sydney Thunder	Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield (c), Anika Learoyd, Heather Knight, Nadine de Klerk, Tahlia Wilson (wk), Laura Harris, Jemma Barsby, Hannah Darlington, Lauren Bell, Sam Bates

Both teams were unchanged.

WBBL|12 Table After Match 15

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Points	Net Run Rate
Sydney Sixers	4	4	0	8	+1.316
Perth Scorchers	3	3	0	6	+1.468
Sydney Thunder	4	2	2	4	+0.481
Brisbane Heat	4	2	2	4	-0.020
Melbourne Renegades	4	2	2	4	-0.555
Melbourne Stars	4	1	3	2	-0.237
Adelaide Strikers	3	1	2	2	-0.483
Hobart Hurricanes	4	0	4	0	-1.557

Net run rate compares how fast a team scores with how fast its opponents score. A team that is bowled out is counted as having faced its full overs. In a rain-reduced match, the team batting first is credited with one run less than the DLS target for net run rate purposes.

What's Next

Match	Date	Fixture	Venue	Local	IST	ET
16	Sun, Nov 8	Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars	North Sydney Oval, Sydney	5:10 PM AEDT	11:40 AM	1:10 AM
18	Wed, Nov 11	Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder	WACA Ground, Perth	4:10 PM AWST	1:40 PM	3:10 AM
20	Thu, Nov 12	Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers	Junction Oval, Melbourne	7:10 PM AEDT	1:40 PM	3:10 AM