Women’s Big Bash League: Sophia Dunkley’s half-century helps Sydney Sixers inflict first defeat on Hobart Hurricanes

Sophia Dunkley’s half-century helped Sydney Sixers inflict a first defeat on Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League.

England batter Dunkley hit eight fours in her 46-ball knock as she top scored in the Sixers’ total of 147-9.

Ellyse Perry chipped in with 28 while Sixers skipper Ash Gardner hit 25.

Heather Graham finished the pick of the Hobart bowlers with 4-29 while England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt claimed 2-22.

Lizelle Lee and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who made 17, got the Hurricances off to a flyer with a 43-run stand for the first wicket.

Gardner wrestled back the initiative when she had Lee trapped lbw for 28 before Sciver-Brunt was bowled by Maitlan Brown for two.

Nicola Carey’s breezy 22 and Elyse Villani’s unbeaten 42 off 31 balls kept the Hurriances in the hunt.

But Gardner, who bagged 4-36, closed out the game with Maitlan Brown as Hobart were bowled out for 136 – 11 runs adrift with eight balls left unbowled.

The Hurriances remain top of the WBBL table on 10 points while the Sixers climb up to third on six.