Centurion Gardner's epic heroics blast 'Canes off the park

Captain Ashleigh Gardner has produced one of the most breathtaking innings in WBBL history while also starring with the ball in the Sydney Sixers' crushing 87-run win over Hobart Hurricanes at Drummoyne Oval.

The Sixers were reeling at 3-6 in the third over after losing Sophia Dunkley, Ellyse Perry and Melie Kerr in quick succession before Gardner (124 off 60) and England's Alice Capsey (54 not out off 40) put on a mammoth fourth-wicket stand of 176.

Gardner muscled a staggering 19 boundaries - including 10 maximums - in her chase to triple figures, registering her second WBBL century nine seasons after her maiden ton in WBBL|03.

Her sterling knock sits second in the Sixers' all-time highest scores behind Steve Smith (125 not out in BBL|12), with Gardner also becoming just the second-ever player to score a century and take three wickets in the same game along with Grace Harris in WBBL|01.

Gardner's eventual dismissal after being dropped a few balls earlier by Chinelle Henry triggered a late collapse, with the Sixers losing 5-7, but they finished at 8-196.

It was the third straight WBBL innings record score in Sunday's double-header, after Brisbane made 5-178 and Sydney Thunder reached their target with six wickets and 20 balls to spare.

Defending champions Hobart could muster only 109 in response to the Sixers' mammoth total, and were never in contention after slumping to 5-26 in the eighth over, of which Gardner was a contributor to. 

The Hurricanes dropped to 0-2 for the season and the Sixers moved to 2-0.

"I felt like this is a really good wicket. The start probably didn't show that but I just think if you gave yourself a chance, there was certainly plenty of runs to be scored out there," Gardner said post-game after hitting her second WBBL century and highest T20 score.

Gardner (3-22) also made a major contribution with the ball and combined with highly regarded 17-year-old quick Caoimhe Bray to destabilise the Hurricanes.

They lost 5-9 in 20 balls with the impressive Bray (2-14) starting the collapse by dismissing Chamari Athapaththu and Rachel Trenaman in her third over.

Gardner struck with her first ball, having the dangerous Lizelle Lee caught, and bowled opposing captain Nicola Carey five deliveries later. She returned to bowl Chenille Henry (32 off 20), with Maddy Green (42 not out off 33), the only other Hurricanes batter to offer resistance.

Earlier on Sunday, the Thunder made light work of their largest ever run chase reaching the target with 20 balls to spare. 

Phoebe Litchfield smashed 41 off 19 balls to steer the Thunder towards their target. 

Weber WBBL|12 Standings

Round 1

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	Drawn D	No results N/R	Net Run Rate NRR	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Sydney Sixers Women SIX	2	2	0	0	0	0	2.25	0	0	0	4
2 Sydney Thunder Women THU	2	2	0	0	0	0	1.605	0	0	0	4
3 Perth Scorchers Women SCO	1	1	0	0	0	0	3.422	0	0	0	2
4 Adelaide Strikers Women STR	1	1	0	0	0	0	1.05	0	0	0	2
5 Melbourne Stars Women STA	2	1	1	0	0	0	-0.075	0	0	0	2
6 Brisbane Heat Women HEA	2	0	2	0	0	0	-0.891	0	0	0	0
7 Melbourne Renegades Women REN	2	0	2	0	0	0	-2.265	0	0	0	0
8 Hobart Hurricanes Women HUR	2	0	2	0	0	0	-2.625	0	0	0	0

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

NRR: Net Run Rate

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points