‘Insanely good’: Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy smacks fifth WBBL century

Australian vice-captain Alyssa Healy has steered the Sydney Sixers to a thrilling last-ball victory over the Perth Scorchers in Melbourne.

Alyssa Healy has done it again.

The Australian vice-captain has steered the Sydney Sixers to a thrilling last-ball victory over the Perth Scorchers at St Kilda’s Junction Oval, scoring an unbeaten 107 (64) on Sunday afternoon.

The ladies in pink chased down the imposing 177-run target with zero balls to spare when Healy slapped the final delivery over cover for four, sealing a six-wicket victory in Melbourne.

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It was the 32-year-old’s fifth century in the Women’s Big Bash League – nobody else in the men’s or women’s competition has managed more than three.

Healy struggled to find momentum early in the run chase, crawling towards one from 10 deliveries before mustering her first boundary in the fourth over.

The Sixers were in early trouble at 1/30 after seven overs, with the required run rate already soaring above 11.

But Healy and Sixers captain Ellyse Perry combined for a 154-run partnership for the second wicket, falling two runs short of a WBBL record, to revive the innings.

Alyssa Healy of the Sixers. Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

Perry was dismissed in the penultimate over for 48 (40), and the Sixers suddenly needed 14 runs from the final six balls to clinch an unlikely victory.

However, all-rounder Ash Gardner smacked two consecutive sixes over the square leg boundary, one of which landed on the rope, to make the equation two runs required from four deliveries.

In yet another twist, Scorchers seamer Pippa Cleary removed Gardner and Erin Burns in back-to-back deliveries to send a scare through the Sixers camp.

Nicole Bolton flicked her first delivery through the leg side for a single before Healy sealed the victory with a trademark lofted cover drive, roaring with delight as the Kookaburra sailed towards the boundary.

“I did not want to face that last ball, that’s for sure,” Healy laughed after the win.

“It’s just amazing to have someone like Ash Gardner in your side that can come in and hit two sixes and get us ahead of the game.

“That was amazing.”

Healy had plundered 92 runs from her last 43 deliveries to help the Sixers cement their spot at the top of the WBBL ladder.

That’s a pretty famous win for the Sixers.

What a century from Alyssa Healy who also had the composure to hit the winning runs off the final delivery. #WBBL08pic.twitter.com/69u4OBzzGB

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) November 13, 2022

What a finish 🤯 Healy, you champion! #WBBL08

— Dani Brown (@itsdanibrown) November 13, 2022

That from Alyssa Healy… insanely good. Brilliant game, too.

— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) November 13, 2022

Earlier, Scorchers opener Beth Mooney (75 not out off 51 balls) and South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp (68 off 37 balls) guided the Perth-based club towards an imposing total of 4/176 from their 20 overs.

Gardner snared two wickets with her accurate off spin, while Sixers seamer Lauren Cheatle impressed with figures of 1/24 from four overs.

Scorchers captain Sophie Devine and Cleary both claimed two wickets during the chase, with the latter conceding 52 from her four overs, making it the equal second most expensive spell in WBBL history.

“When a player like Alyssa Healy gets going like that, she’s bloody hard to stop,” Devine confessed after the loss.

“It was a great game, but disappointing to come out as the losing side.”

The Sixers will next face the Brisbane Heat at North Sydney Oval on Wednesday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7.10pm AEDT.

Originally published as ‘Insanely good’: Sydney Sixers wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy smacks fifth WBBL century