| Sydney Sixers 163-9 (20 overs): Gardner 72 (44); Gardner 2-23 |
| Melbourne Stars 165-8 (20 overs): Lanning 55 (34); Sutherland 4-27 |
| Melbourne Stars won by two runs |
| Scorecard.Table. |
Captain Meg Lanning caught the eye as Melbourne Stars beat Sydney Sixers in the 2023 Women’s Big Bash League’s opening game.
Lanning hit a team-high 55 off 34 balls to help the Stars reach 165-8 at North Sydney Oval.
After the Sixers fell to 71-6, stand-in captain Ashleigh Gardner dragged them back into the game with a fine 72.
But needing eight runs off the final seven balls, the Sixers couldn’t get over the line.
Australia international Lanning has been building some solid form since missing the Ashes series draw against England over the summer for medical reasons.
The 31-year-old has hit four half centuries from her past five outings, featuring for Victoria Women prior to the return of the Big Bash League.
Annabel Sutherland also impressed for the Stars, who finished sixth and missed out on the play-offs last season, as she chipped in with 34 runs and had figures of 4-27 with the ball.
The Sixers face cross-city rivals Sydney Thunder in their next assignment on Sunday, while the Stars head to Adelaide to face the defending champions at Karen Rolton Oval on Saturday.
