Patterson Suffers Injury as Strikers' Middle Order Powers Win Over Sixers

Adelaide Strikers secured an 11-run victory over the Sydney Sixers in a close Women’s Big Bash League match, despite a frightening injury to Bridget Patterson. The game at North Sydney Oval saw Patterson struck in the face by a 119 kph delivery from Darcie Brown, which unexpectedly bounced and hit her near the right eye. Medical staff immediately attended to Patterson, who managed to walk off the field and remained at the venue for observation. Strikers’ coach Luke Williams later confirmed that she avoided major injury but described it as a “nasty” incident.

Patterson had earlier contributed with the bat, part of a powerful middle-order performance that lifted the Strikers to a competitive total of 171. Patterson scored 44, while Orla Prendergast and Amanda-Jade Wellington added 39 and 40 runs, respectively. Their combined efforts helped Strikers recover from a shaky 51 for 4, bolstered by a powerful 32 runs off two power surge overs. Wellington’s blistering 40 off 16 balls, featuring two sixes and three fours, was instrumental in building a defendable score.

In response, the Sixers showed promise with Ellyse Perry and Sarah Bryce leading the chase. Perry scored a quick 54 off 26 balls, striking 11 boundaries, while Bryce added a steady 62 off 44 balls. However, the Sixers faltered after Bryce’s dismissal by Megan Schutt, losing 6 wickets for just 18 runs in the final overs.

Despite a late partnership between Bryce and debutant Elsa Hunter, who added 53 off 35 balls, the Sixers fell short of the target. Leg-spinners Wellington and Anesu Mushangwe were effective for the Strikers, keeping the pressure on in the final overs to seal the win.