Lack of support from other batters meant Harmanpreet Kaur’s blistering innings went in vain as her side Sydney Thunder lost to Sydney Sixers in the derby match of Women’s Big Bash League on Friday.
The India Women’s T20 captain played a lone hand in the Thunder's chase, scoring a strokeful 45 off 28 balls. But none of her teammates could play a supporting act. Chasing 169 for victory, Thunders stopped at 132 for 7, slumping to a 36-run defeat.
That the Thunders managed to cross 130 was because of Harmanpreet’s brilliance, who surprisingly, came in to bat at No.5, despite the asking rate being 8 and a half right at the beginning of the chase.
Harmanpreet, who was playing her first match of the season, came in to bat when Thunders were 25 for 3 after 5 overs. She slammed 3 sixes and four fours in her innings but the asking rate of more than 12 runs per over was way too much even for her. She was dismissed in the 15th over.
The star of the match, however, was Sydney Sixers' Ellyse Perry. The Australian all-rounder is having a dream run in the BBL. After scoring a 39-ball hundred less than 24 hours ago against Perth Scorchers, Perry again slammed 74 off 66 balls against Thunders, leading her side to put on a challenging 168 on board.
Perry’s job was only half done. After entertaining the crowd with her batting skills, the ace all-rounder also played a crucial role with the ball, picking up two important wickets of Sarah Taylor and Naomi Stalenberg. Perry ended up with figures of 2 for 11 in her 3 overs.