Gardner's final-over burst seals Sixers win over Renegades

Sydney Sixers beat Melbourne Renegades by 11 runs at Junction Oval on Thursday, with Ashleigh Gardner taking three wickets in the final over to settle their Women's Big Bash League contest. According to BBC Sport's match scorecard, the Sixers defended 140 for six by dismissing the Renegades for 129 from the final ball of their 20 overs.

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Melie Kerr supplied the highest score of the match after Sydney won the toss and chose to bat. Her 53 from 34 deliveries included seven fours, while Ellyse Perry contributed 30 from 41 balls. Sophia Dunkley made 20 and Gardner added 22. Perry's dismissal ended a third-wicket partnership with Kerr that had taken the Sixers from 68 for two to 124 for three.

The Renegades restricted Sydney to 16 further runs after Perry was run out in the 18th over. Milly Illingworth finished with two wickets for 24 from three overs, having removed both Dunkley and Gardner. Georgia Wareham dismissed Kerr in the final over and returned one for 21 from four, while Hayley Matthews took the wicket of Alice Capsey.

Melbourne's chase lost momentum early. Lauren Cheatle dismissed Matthews for one, Kerr removed Courtney Webb for seven, and Olivia Porter was run out for 11, leaving the Renegades 22 for three. Sophie Molineux made 18 and Nicole Faltum scored 21, but both departed before the end of the 12th over. At 63 for five, Melbourne still needed 78 runs to reach the target.

Tess Flintoff and Wareham then added 60 for the sixth wicket to keep the chase alive. Flintoff struck five fours and a six in her 44 from 31 balls before Sarah Coyte bowled her with one delivery remaining in the 19th over. That dismissal left Melbourne at 123 for six, bringing an end to the largest partnership of their innings.

Gardner bowled Wareham for 17 at the start of the final over, then removed Deandra Dottin and Chloe Tryon. Tayla Vlaeminck was run out from the last delivery as Melbourne lost their final four wickets for six runs. Gardner finished with three for 13 from three overs, supported by Cheatle's two for 20 from four.