Adelaide Strikers emerged victorious in their WBBL title defense opener, defeating Sydney Sixers by 11 runs at North Sydney Oval. The match was marred by a frightening incident involving Strikers wicketkeeper Bridget Patterson, who was struck in the face by a 119kph delivery.
Patterson’s injury occurred in the fourth over of the Sixers’ chase, when a ball from Darcie Brown kicked up and hit her near the right eye. She was immediately attended to by medical staff and was able to walk off the field after a few minutes. Patterson remained at the ground for the rest of the game and will undergo further assessment.
Despite the setback, the Strikers’ middle order rallied to post a competitive total of 171. Patterson, Orla Prendergast, and Amanda-Jade Wellington combined for 123 runs off 92 balls, with Wellington particularly impressive, hitting two sixes and three fours in her 40-run knock.
In reply, Ellyse Perry dominated the early stages of the chase with a 26-ball fifty, while Sarah Bryce impressed with 62 off 44 balls. However, after Bryce’s dismissal, the Sixers innings collapsed, losing six wickets for just 18 runs.
Legspinners Wellington and Anesu Mushangwe were instrumental in the Strikers’ victory, bowling superbly in the closing overs. Mushangwe finished with figures of 3-27, while Wellington took 2-29.
