3 minute read
There was just enough time to show Ellyse Perry had lost none of her match-winning capabilities as the Sydney Sixers beat the Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL.
Ellyse Perry lost eight months of cricket but none of her nerve as the star allrounder crashed a boundary with three balls remaining to secure the Sydney Sixers' WBBL win over the Adelaide Strikers.
Making her long-awaited return to cricket after injuring her hamstring during Australia's successful T20 World Cup campaign in March, Perry scored 14 not out, took 0-8 with the ball and effected a run out on her return at North Sydney Oval.
On a day where three other matches failed to net a result because of widespread rain in Sydney, the Sixers took advantage of a break in the weather to squeak in a victory.
Having to face just nine overs after being asked to bat, the Strikers were in deep trouble at 4-14 in the fifth over with Lisa Griffith (2-10) the early destroyer.
Some late and lusty hitting by Bridget Patterson (28 from 14 balls) helped get the visitors to 7-68 as Marizanne Kapp (3-14) captured the best bowling figures for the Sixers.
Further rain then reduced the target for the Sixers to 46 off six overs.
Alyssa Healy (27 from 16) did her bit before being caught at cover in the penultimate over off the bowling of Sarah Coyte (1-10).
With three balls left and three runs required, cool-headed Perry delivered with a rousing boundary past deep square leg to get the win.
Player of the match Healy paid tribute to Perry but admitted there were a few nervous moments for her teammate given her return from injury was in less than ideal playing conditions.
"It was great. It was a bit eerie that it was wet and slippery but she just went out there and got the job done," Healy said of Perry.
"... It was a significant injury and I'm sure we'll talk about it for the rest of the WBBL but to see her out there performing with bat and ball was important."
Elsewhere, just four overs were possible in the Sydney Thunder-Melbourne Stars fixture earlier on Monday at North Sydney Oval, the hosts 2-13 when showers prevented any more play.
At Hurstville Oval, the Brisbane Heat-Melbourne Renegades and the Perth Scorchers-Hobart Hurricanes matches were abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Sunday's opening round resulted in the Strikers beating the Hurricanes and the Heat overcoming the Scorchers.
The Stars-Renegades match was deemed a no result while the Thunder-Sixers clash was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
