WBBL: Bridget Patterson, Strikers wicket-keeper, struck in face during win against Sydney Sixers

Adelaide’s thrilling win over the Sixers has been marred by a nasty incident in the field that saw Bridget Patterson struck in the face by a 119km/h delivery.

Strikers wicket-keeperer Bridget Patterson is helped from the field after being struck by a ball. Picture: Getty Images

Adelaide’s thrilling 11-run win over the Sixers has been marred by a nasty incident in the field that saw Bridget Patterson struck in the face by a 119 km/h delivery, with the wicketkeeper thankfully able to walk off North Sydney Oval.

Patterson had earlier saved the Strikers with a team-high 44 off 32 helping them post 171 after they had slumped to 3-22 in the fourth over.

Strikers wicketkeeper Bridget Patterson lays injured after being struck by a ball. Picture: Getty Images

But the only concern now is her health after she copped a searing Darcie Brown delivery in the face after the ball bounced up awkwardly off the grass and hit her in the right eye in the fourth over.

Patterson stayed down for a minute before she was helped from the field and went straight into the sheds for medical attention.

Brown had earlier knocked over Hollie Armitage with her first ball as the Aussie quick put the hosts on the back foot with a wicket maiden.

Thoughts are with Bridget Patterson after copping this nasty blow 🙏 #WBBL10pic.twitter.com/4Yc1hWSmUD

— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) October 29, 2024

ADELAIDE STRIKES BACK

The Strikers showed why they are the two-time defending champions, with the visitors unfazed by an early batting collapse as Patterson and the middle-order fought back strongly thanks to 32 runs in the power surge.

Amanda-Jade Wellington (40 off 16) bludgeoned the ball to all parts of the boundary, while Orla Prendergast chipped in with a crucial 39 before Brown removed both Sixers openers to help the Strikers bounce back from their opening loss.

The Sixers looked on track to chase down the target before Aussie veteran Megan Schutt knocked over Sarah Bryce for 62 in the power surge and then removed rookie sensation Caoimhe Bray in the penultimate over where she conceded just five runs.

Bridget Patterson hit a team-high 44 off 32 for the Strikers. Picture: Getty Images

PERFECT PERRY

Halloween is coming up, but Aussie cricket fans could be in for a treat with Ellyse Perry in scary touch after the first two games of the competition.

Two days after she smashed 81, the gifted all-rounder backed it up with another fluent 54 off 28 at the top of the order – her 30th half-century in the WBBL.

Perry also dominated with the ball, knocking over Australian teammate Tahlia McGrath with her first ball before she held onto a stunning return catch to have the Strikers in early trouble.

Perry had plenty of support from Sarah Bryce who anchored the innings with 62, while Malaysian-born Elsa Hunter added 28, only for the Sixers to stumble late when they needed 19 off the final two overs.

HEALY IS HEALING

The Sixers have been rocked by an early injury crisis with key players Alyssa Healy, Amelia Kerr and Erin Burns unavailable for the first few matches.

But the competition heavyweights could receive a massive boost for Friday’s showdown against the Melbourne Stars, with Healy a “sneaky” chance to return from the foot injury that prematurely ended her World Cup campaign.

Healy had a session on Tuesday and will need to convince the team’s medical staff that she’s good to go, with the veteran wicketkeeper telling Fox Cricket in the pre-game coverage that her recovery is ahead of schedule.

“It’s actually progressing a lot quicker than what I thought so Friday could be a sneaky one,” she said.

“We’ll have to wait and see how the rest of the week progresses, but if I can line up here against the Stars on Friday night then I’ll be pretty chuffed.”