Adelaide Strikers’ win marred by concussion to Sydney Sixers player Ash Gardner

The Adelaide Strikers have pulled off an incredible 14-run win over the Sydney Sixers.

Strikers wicketkeeper Tegan McPharlin leads the way with the bat at Drummoyne Oval

The Adelaide Strikers have pulled off an incredible 14-run win over the Sydney Sixers on Sunday, which was marred by a suspected concussion to Australian star Ash Gardner.

Gardner cut a forlorn figure in the stands at Drummoyne Oval during the Sixers’ unsuccessful run chase, having been ruled out of the match after a diving attempt to save a boundary turned nasty.

The 23-year-old was replaced by wicketkeeper Maddy Darke after being ruled out by the on-field doctor due to the game’s concussion rules.

Gardner has now suffered seven concussions in her short career and must overcome strict protocols to feature in the Sixers’ midweek games against Brisbane Heat (Tuesday) and cross-town rivals the Thunder (Wednesday).

“She’s not 100 per cent, but she is going to get some tests and hopefully she can play next week,” said teammate Dane van Niekerk. “She understands what her body needs.”

The Strikers’ season-saving victory seemed unlikely midway through their batting innings: they slumped at 6- 56 after being sent in.

But a wonderful display from veteran wicketkeeper Tegan McPharlin, followed by an incredible four-over bowling spell from stand-in captain Megan Schutt, saw the Strikers register their second-ever win over the Sixers in WBBL history.

McPharlin – coming in at No. 8 – posted an unbeaten 41, which helped Adelaide finish their 20 overs on 8-119.

In reply, the Sixers were 4-81 going into the 17th over, needing 39 runs for victory.

With the game on a knife edge, Schutt took the ball for her final over: her first ball saw Ange Reakes caught at deep midon, her fourth ball had Maddy Drake run out and her final ball saw Jodie Hicks caught at cover. Suddenly, the Sixers were 7-85; Schutt finishing with remarkable figures of 3/7.

The Sixers finished on 9-105 and have slumped to their fourth consecutive loss.

Meanwhile, Sophie Devine’s Perth Scorchers edged into second place on the WBBL ladder, after fighting back to beat the Thunder by 34 runs.

Opting to bat first, the Scorchers were contained to just 129. Thunder’s spinner Lauren Smith disrupted the Scorchers deadly partnership of Devine and Beth Mooney, dismissing Mooney early on 26 runs.

Thunder finished with a total of 130 but the Scorchers bowlers weren’t fazed.

Heather Graham (3-22) Nicole Bolton (2-13) and Devine (2-12) shocked Thunder’s top order, as Perth dismissed the Sydney side for 97 runs.

Later, Courtney Webb and Lizelle Lee inspired the Melbourne Renegades to a thrilling super-over victory against ladder leaders the Melbourne Stars.

It was an extraordinary effort from the injury-struck Renegades, who sat at the foot of the table heading into the contest at Sydney Showground.

The Stars posted a formidable total of 165, thanks to strong knocks by Meg Lanning (41 from 29), Mignon du Preez (40 from29) and Natalie Sciver (26 off 16).

But Webb mustered up a valiant knock (54 of 33 not out) to lock up both teams at the end of their innings.

The Renegades sent Webb and Lee into bat for the super-over and the pair posted a sensational 17-runs — including a four and a six from Lee.

The Stars responded with Meg Lanning and Mignon du Preez. The duo, however, finished up on 12-runs to end their six-game winning streak.

The Brisbane Heat pummelled the Hobart Hurricanes by a whopping 10 wickets to notch up their fourth win of WBBL06.

In a day the Hurricanes would rather forget, they were bowled out for 82 in the 19th over and then made mistakes in the field, including a handful of dropped catches.

Heat opener Georgia Redmayne took it upon herself to prove there were some runs in the measly Drummoyne Oval pitch, and found the boundary at will.

Redmayne finished on 61 not out and fellow opener Grace Harris was 23 when she hit the winning runs in the 12th over.