Monday 25 January 2016 06:09, UK
Sydney Thunder were crowned the inaugural Women's Big Bash League champions with a thrilling, three-wicket victory in the last over against their city rivals Sydney Sixers in a pulsating final at the MCG.
But it wasn't without its nerves as they rather stumbled over the line, losing five wickets for 16 runs with the finish line in sight with some calamitous running between the wickets and impatient batting.
Ellyse Perry's Sixers, who had won nine matches in a row to reach the final, won the toss and took first use of the wicket and made steady progress with Alyssa Healy (19 off 20 balls), Ashleigh Gardner (20 off 16 balls) and Sara McGlashan (20 off 21 balls) keeping the scoreboard ticking.
However, they were pegged back by 19-year-old, slow left-arm bowler Maisy Gibson (2-21) and player-of-the-match winning off-spinner Erin Osborne (3-21) which saw the Sixers drop from 43-1 to 94-7 in the space of 10 overs - Rene Farrell chipping in with 2-22.
It could have been worse had the Thunder held onto their chances, but they put down a handful of opportunities.
Angela Reakes raised the Sixers hopes with a timely unbeaten 18-ball 23 at the tail end of the innings to lift her side to a competitive 115-7.
Rachael Haynes (37 off 50 balls) and West Indian Stafanie Taylor (27 off 35 balls) gave the chase the perfect start, sharing 54 in 10 overs before the latter lofted Sarah Aley (2-19) to Gardner.
Naomi Stalenberg fell first ball but it brought Thunder skipper Alex Blackwell to the crease and she and Haynes continued the comfortable progress.
But needing just a run-a-ball from the last three overs, the Thunder did their best to implode as first Haynes and then Nicola Carey both fell to run-outs and then Blackwell was bowled by the outstanding South African Marizanne Kapp.
Kapp threw the Sixers a lifeline with figures of 1-11, including 19 dot balls, by removing Blackwell (30 off 23 balls) and Osborne went to the third run out dismissal in the space of nine balls.
The nerves were jangling on both sides as Claire Koski benefited from an overthrow to bring the equation to just four needed from Perry's final over.
When Farrell was caught off the second ball, the game was in the balance but Lauren Cheatle, who was awarded the WBBL Young Gun of the Season, scampered a bye off a wide to set off the wild celebrations for Thunder.
Watch highlights of the final at 12pm on Sky Sports 3, 4.30pm on Sky Sports 2 and 8.30pm on Sky Sports 3.
