WBBL 2022: Perry's all-round show powers Sixers to a thrilling win against Heat in the opener

Sydney Sixers Women (Source: Twitter)

It was a fitting start to kick off another high-quality Women's Big Bash League season that saw Sydney Sixers Women overcome Brisbane Heat Women's threat by four wickets with just one ball remaining, thanks to an overall effort from Ellyse Perry. However, we probably would have seen a different result if it wasn't for that Maitlan Brown six. 

Sixers limit Heat to 141

After being asked to bat first, Brisbane lost their first wicket on nine in the second over, with Georgia Redmayne (49) and Georgia Voll (32) forming a 60-run stand between them to take the score to 69. 

Apart from those two mentioned above, Charli Knott did play a decent knock of 21 from just nine deliveries, none of the batters could get an eye in and contributed nothing significant. The chief destroyers were skipper Ellyse Perry (2) and pacer Maitlan Brown (3), who broke the back of Heat's batting attack.

Perry and Burns too good for Brisbane

Chasing 143 for success, Sixers' start was somewhat disappointing, where they were reduced to just 25/3 inside five overs with their mainstays Alyssa Healy, Suzie Bates and Ashleigh Gardner already inside the pavilion. The situation looked rather tricky as not much batting was about to come, with Ellyse Perry and Erin Burns considered as the last recognized.

However, Brisbane couldn't capitalize on the situation and were dealt with a big blow as the duo forged a magnificent 93-run partnership off just 74 deliveries hitting 12 fours and 1 six to take the total to 118. Perry smacked 55, whereas Burns wasn't far away after shooting 50.

However, after their departure, the situation started to get tense, and it all came down to the final over with eight needed to cross the finish line. Ultimately it became five off 2, with Brown doing the finishing job by hitting a six to take her side home.

Jess Kerr and Jess Jonassen were decent, picking two each while bowling at an economy under 6.

Brief Scores: 

Brisbane Heat Women: 141/8 (20 Overs)

Georgia Redmayne 49 (39), Georgia Voll 32 (39);
Maitlan Brown 3/20 (3), Ellyse Perry 2/27 (4)

Sydney Sixers: 143/6 (19.5 Overs)

Ellyse Perry 55 (48), Erin Burns 50 (37);
Jess Kerr 2/17 (4), Jess Jonassen 2/21 (4)

Match Result: Sydney Sixers Women won by 4 Wickets.

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