Ashleigh smashes fastest WBBL ton

SYDNEY: Ashleigh Gardner smashed the fastest-ever WBBL ton (off just 47 balls) and shared a 150-run stand with Ellyse Perry (91*) to set up a big win for Sydney Sixers against the Melbourne Stars.

Put in to bat, the Sixers lost Alyssa Healy in just the second over but that didn’t deter Gardner, who smashed five fours and a six in the first eight balls of her innings. Her stunning assault eased the pressure on Perry, who found her rhythm after a cautious beginning. The duo amassed 18 fours and 14 sixes between them at the North Sydney Oval to power the Sixers to a massive 242 in their 20 overs.

In reply, the Stars got off to a quick start thanks to Lizelle Lee’s 36-ball 64 but the opener did not get any support at the other end. With regular wickets falling at the other end, the chase did not threaten the Sixers, who eventually bagged an 86-run victory.

Brief Scores: Sydney Sixers Women 242/4 (Ashleigh Gardner 114, Ellyse Perry 91; Erin Osborne 2/33) beat Melbourne Stars 156/7 (Lizelle Lee 64; Sarah Aley 2/30) by 86 runs.