Sixers-Scorchers super over thriller decides finals fate

A close call super over catch by star all-rounder Ash Gardner proved pivotal in a stunning WBBL tie between the Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers which could define the finals fate of both teams and left superstar Ellyse Perry feeling “a little bit sick”.

Gardner took a low down caught and bowled to dismiss Scorchers star batter Beth Mooney, who earlier became the first player to pass 5000 WBBL runs, which was given the green light by the umpires after suggestions the ball grazed the ground.

But Mooney’s exit opened the door for teammate Mikayla Hinkley to smash the final three balls of Gardner’s over for four to help them equal the 15 scored by the Sixers, reached after Perry hit 12 super over runs including a six.

Perry had blasted 67 to stay atop the WBBL run-scorers list but her teammates couldn’t finish off the job chasing just 127 at Ninja Arena after a Scorchers batting collapse opened the door for a victory needed by the Sixers to keep their finals chances alive.

Needing 12 runs to win off the final over in regulation play, Sixers No.8 batter Mathilda Carmichael hacked 10 runs off the first five balls from Scorchers spinner Amy Edgar to send the match down to the final ball.

But the Sixers could only manage a single, Carmichael run out going for the winning run, sending the match to the super over, which failed to split the teams who walked away with a point each.

“I feel a little bit sick after that,” Perry said.

“It definitely hurts a little bit. Draws are not fun, but it was a great game of cricket.”

Mooney had earlier became the first player to pass 5000 runs in the competition, the most of all-time by nearly 500, but her dismissal for 41 sparked a horror Scorchers batting collapse.

Travelling OK at 1-91 after 12 overs, Gardner put the Scorchers in a spin as they lost 4-9, with the Sixers and Australian all-round star snaring three, going past 100 WBBL scalps in the process, the first Sixers player to reach the milestone.

The collapse became 9-31 in the final stages of the Perth innings after Mooney’s hot start and the Scorchers were all out for 126, Gardner finishing with 4-21.

PERRY SPECIAL

Evergreen star Perry has been the shining light for her team all season playing without injured Australian captain Alyssa Healy.

Her 67 was her fourth 50 for the tournament and she has 391 runs for the Sixers, the next best for her team being Sarah Bryce, with 141.

RECORD BELTER

There’s no denying Mooney’s status as a WBBL record-breaker when it comes to runs passing the 5000 run milestone in her 140th match for the Perth Scorchers, at an average above 46. .

But consider that the most runs made by anyone in the BBL is Chris Lynn’s 3725, in 120 matches, and Mooney’s dominance of her competition is obvious.

In fact three WBBL players have all scored more runs than Lynn including Ellyse Perry (4589 +), Sophie Devine (3932). All have played more matches than Lynn.

FINALS SHOWDOWN

Both the Sixers and Scorchers could now face a battle to finish in the top four with a final Sunday showdown with the Brisbane Heat potentially season-defining.

The Sixers players will watch anxiously as finals rivals the Heat and Melbourne Renegades play matches across Friday and Saturday, which will determine where they stand going in to the last clash at Allan Border Field.

The Scorchers also have one more game, against the Hobart Hurricanes at the WACA late on Saturday night which could shape the playoffs.