Our Sydney Sixers women contributed with the bat and ball in as the final two ODI matches were battled out at the Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour on Thursday and Sunday.
Superstar all-rounder Ash Gardner had to miss the second match after suffering a concussion in the opener last week. However, our Sixers power hitters Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry scored big to help the Aussies put the pressure on England.
Healy took advantage of batting first in Thursday’s match as she scored a solid half-century. She smacked 6 fours and a six in her innings of 55 (56) to boost the Aussies to a big total. Perry reached 67 (75) to make the second highest individual total in the match. Her 86-run partnership with captain Rachael Haynes helped secure victory for Australia.
In yesterday’s game at Coffs, Gardner passed a fitness test to return for the final match in the ODI portion of the Ashes and contributed in the bowling attack with a wicket. Perry took two wickets in the match including the opening wicket of Lauren Winfield for a duck. However, an impressive batting innings by England’s top order set the Aussies up for a challenging run chase.
Healy top scored for Australia and continued her consistent form with 71 runs (72). She smashed 12 boundaries in her stellar performance. Her 118-run opening partnership with Nicole Bolton set the team up for a potential win but England’s bowling attack dominated the final 20 overs. Healy finished the ODI section with the most runs (145) and the most boundaries.
Our Sixers women in the Australian squad will now be preparing for the upcoming test on November 9 at North Sydney Oval.