Shafali Verma stars as Sydney Sixers continue perfect start

Their victory came at the expense of Hobart Hurricanes, who have lost both of their matches so far

Hobart: Hobart Hurricanes 125-9, Sydney Sixers 129-5 - Sydney Sixers win by five wickets

Scorecard

Sydney Sixers won their second game in a row to maintain their perfect record in the early stages of this year’s Women’s Big Bash, taking them top of the table in the process.

Their victory came at the expense of Hobart Hurricanes, who have lost both of their matches so far. They were always behind the eight-ball at Blundstone Arena after being asked to bat first and losing wickets at regular intervals.

India’s Richa Ghosh provided some rare stability with a run-a-ball 46, including three sixes, but she was short on support and her innings would later be usurped by compatriot Shafali Verma, who struck her first half century in the competition.

Sydney’s win was set up by their bowlers, however: Nicole Bolton, Ellyse Perry, Maitlan Brown and Radha Yadav all took two wickets each. Sasha Moloney, who made 22 off 16 balls, was one of just two Hobart batters to score at a strike rate above 100 as the two-time winners turned the screw. Hurricanes’ top-order overseas players – Mignon du Preez and Rachel Priest – made 2 and 1, respectively.

Jeez @TheShafaliVerma was hitting them cleanly today! @SixersBBL | #WBBL07 pic.twitter.com/4IgcZowQ55

— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) October 17, 2021

In reply, Verma played an unfamiliar anchor role, hitting six boundaries all around the ground but in a more measured manner than what the international game has become used to. She was the fourth wicket to fall in Sixers’ chase – for 57 off 50 deliveries – by which point most of the damage had been done.

Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner both fell cheaply to Tayla Vlaeminck, who bowled with real pace, and Molly Strano, the competition’s all-time leading wicket-taker, but Sydney’s feted middle order had enough about it to overcome those two early blows.

First Perry and then Bolton played sensible hands to take their side within touching distance of victory, before fours from Ange Reakes and Brown dragged them over the line despite a spirited fightback from Priest’s side.