Sydney rivals face off in Smash
CRICKET: Three years ago, when NSW Breakers teammates first split to don the magenta of the Sydney Sixers or the lime green of the Sydney Thunder, it started something.
From day dot of the WBBL, they have wanted to beat each other.
“To be honest, it was just there from the start. It hasn’t really developed too much other than now there’s history in different matches and we’ve played out some really great contests,” Sixers captain Ellyse Perry (pictured) said.
“I think it’s one of those ones that’s just kind of always going to be there.”
In seven matches, across three seasons, the ledger stands at 4-3 Thunder. A threewicket win in the final of the first season is all that splits the record.
Each season the group matches have been shared one apiece.
So you can see why the Sydney Smash on the schedule is one they so look forward to.
The two side started their campaigns last weekend with very different results. The highly-favoured Sixers went down to a Melbourne Stars side led by a rampaging Lizelle Lee, who posted 102 not out in a comfortable sevenwicket win.
Not even a 58 from Perry and 70 from fellow opener Alyssa Healy was enough for the Sixers as they struggled to take wickets at Melbourne’s Junction Oval.
Thunder, however, had no trouble with the ball.
Farrell took 3-17 as they held Melbourne Renegades to just 98 runs then were consistent with the bat to secure the win with three overs to spare.
That, however, will mean little tonight at North Sydney Oval when the two sides meet.