Gardner's Record 124 and Knight's Fifty Power Sixers and Thunder to WBBL Double-Header Wins

Sydney's two WBBL sides both won on a high-scoring double-header day at Drummoyne Oval, with Ashleigh Gardner producing the standout innings of the young season. The Sixers captain rescued her side from a dreadful start, then blew Hobart Hurricanes away. Put in to bat, the Sixers lost three wickets for just six runs inside three overs before Gardner took charge. She smashed 124 off only 60 balls, striking 10 fours and nine sixes, and shared a record-breaking 176-run fourth-wicket stand with Alice Capsey, who finished unbeaten on 54 off 40 balls. The Sixers posted 196 for 8, and the Hurricanes never got close, bowled out for 109 in 17.4 overs. Gardner completed a fine all-round display with three wickets for 23 runs, while Amelia Kerr also claimed three for 25, sealing an 87-run victory. Earlier, Sydney Thunder made it two wins from two. Brisbane Heat posted 178 for 5, with Grace Harris top-scoring with 58 off 37 balls and Georgia Redmayne adding 57 off 44. Thunder chased the target down with 20 balls to spare, reaching 180 for 4 in 16.4 overs. Phoebe Litchfield gave the chase a flying start with 41 off 19 balls, Anika Learoyd added 37 off 28, and captain Heather Knight anchored the finish with an unbeaten 54 off 29, supported by Laura Harris's rapid 35 off 16.