A brilliant hattrick from young star Caoimhe Bray helped the Sydney Sixers Women secure a convincing 24-run win over the Sydney Thunder Women in Match 11 of WBBL|11 at Drummoyne Oval.
Sophia Dunkley and Alyssa Healy lead Sixers’ batting effort
Put in to bat first after the Thunder won the toss, the Sixers posted a steady total despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
Sophia Dunkley played the anchor role with a composed 43 off 35 balls, striking six boundaries and maintaining the momentum. She found strong support from Alyssa Healy, who smashed 26 off just 15 balls at a blistering strike rate of 173.33. Their 60-run partnership gave the Sixers a solid platform at 76/2.
However, the middle order faltered under tight bowling pressure. Captain Ashleigh Gardner fell for 10, while Erin Burns (6) and Maitlan Brown (8) could not convert their starts.
A late surge from Mady Villiers, who remained unbeaten on 24 off 19, helped Sixers finish with 142/9 – a total that later proved more than defendable.
Shabnim Ismail (3/27) was the pick of the Thunder bowlers, while Georgia Voll and Samantha Bates took two wickets each.
Thunder ealter early in the chase
The Thunder innings never found rhythm as the Sixers struck early and consistently.
Lauren Cheatle removed Georgia Voll for 1, and Maitlan Brown delivered a double blow by dismissing Tahlia Wilson (7) and Heather Knight (6). With the score at 19/3, the Thunder were under immense pressure.
Captain Phoebe Litchfield attempted to rebuild but managed only 8 before falling to Bray.
Caoimhe Bray’s magical hattrick turns the match
The defining moment arrived when Caoimhe Bray ignited the game with a spellbinding hattrick that shattered the Thunder’s chase.
Her hattrick victims included:
Phoebe Litchfield (8) – caught by Gardner
Anika Learoyd (11) – bowled
Chamari Athapaththu (3) – caught by Gardner
Here’s the video:
Teen sensation! Caoimhe Bray’s hat trick, ball by ball! ❌❌❌ #WBBL11 pic.twitter.com/gKu0vaX9ty
— Weber Women’s Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 15, 2025
Bray then added a fourth by removing Laura Harris for 0, finishing with extraordinary figures of 4/15 – her best in the WBBL so far.
Despite the collapse, Lucy Finn produced a spirited counterattack, smashing an unbeaten 49 off 34 balls, including four fours and three sixes. Her aggression pushed Thunder past 100, but without support from the other end, the chase fizzled out at 118/8.
Sydney Sixers beat Sydney Thunder by 24 runs 🏏#cricket #WBBL11 pic.twitter.com/00vhhEaYqZ
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) November 15, 2025
The Sixers’ bowlers maintained discipline throughout, with Brown (2/18), Cheatle (1/29), and Villiers (0/7) contributing valuable overs.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
