Erin Burns heroics in vain as Adelaide Strikers pick up first win of season

With four runs needed off the last two balls, Burns holed out off a full toss, before Ange Genford was stumped to give Strikers a three-run win

Adelaide: Adelaide Strikers 142-6, Sydney Sixers 139-8 - Adelaide Strikers win by three runs

Scorecard

Adelaide Strikers came out on top in a last-over thriller against Sydney Sixers despite Erin Burns' valiant counterattack.

In Ellyse Perry's hundredth match in the Women's Big Bash, the great allrounder was expensive with the ball and was bowled first ball by Darcie Brown, one of three wickets for the young speedster.

But the game hinged on Burns, who took Sixers within four runs of maintaining their unbeaten start to the season, having needed 41 runs to win off the final 18 deliveries.

With 20 required off the last over, the six-time Australia international hit consecutive sixes off Jemma Barsby but, with four runs still needed, holed out off a full toss, before Ange Genford was stumped off the game's last ball, handing Strikers their first win of the competition – by three runs.

^{Erin Burns' effort was in vain for Sydney Sixers (Sarah Reed/Getty Images)}

Burns made 71 off 38 balls but received precious little support from her big-name teammates; Alyssa Healy was Brown's first wicket for just six, while Ash Gardner was trapped in front for seven. When Suzie Bates departed at 36 for 4, you'd have got long odds on Sydney coming so close.

Strikers, though, had been indebted to their own late recovery; from 83 for 6, Madeline Penna and Tegan McPharlin added 59 runs in an unbroken partnership in just 4.5 overs, including 56 in the last three overs, to end their innings after Katie Mack, Laura Wolvaardt, Tahlia McGrath and Bridget Patterson had all fallen after making useful starts.

Sophie Ecclestone took 2 for 15 in four overs but Charlotte Edwards tasted defeat in the WBBL for the first time as a head coach.

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