An extraordinary final over from Chloe Tryon has helped the Sydney Sixers perform a stunning escape act to claim a four-run win over the Melbourne Stars despite heavy rain almost handing victory to their opponents.
Tryon came on for her first over with the Stars needing just seven to win off six balls after they were set a revised target due to wild weather at Ringwood’s Jubilee Park.
The damp conditions and skiddy outfield presented a hard task for a spinner but the South African all-rounder did not blink, claiming 3-2 as the Stars botched a golden opportunity handed to them by the Duckworth-Lewis system.
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Stars batter Maia Bouchier had put the Stars one run ahead of the par score when she hit an Ellyse Perry delivery for four through third man just before the players were called off due to rain.
Sixers players worked frantically to help ground staff put the covers on, and were rewarded for their efforts when the umpires deemed there was time for just 1.2 overs to be bowled.
Resuming with 12 runs needed from eight deliveries, Bouchier hit Perry for another four immediately after play restarted and scrambled through for a risky single to take strike in the next over with just seven needed.
But Tryon’s left arm spin brought the English star unstuck before Nicole Faltum holed out to mid-off in the exact same fashion off the next ball.
With five to win from the final delivery, Annabel Sutherland swung hard towards mid-wicket but was caught by Ash Gardner only a metre from the boundary.
It came after the Stars had slumped to 3-35 in the sixth over with captain Meg Lanning and opening partner Sophia Dunkley dismissed for ducks in pursuit of the Sixers’ 7-134.
Before Tryon’s cameo, fellow left arm orthodox bowler Sophie Day had been the game’s most influential bowler, claiming the best ever figures by a Stars bowler in the WBBL with 5-25 including the huge scalps of Perry (22), Gardner (15) and Suzie Bates (27).
