Sixers move third with victory over Stars

Sydney Sixers consolidated their place in the Women's Big Bash League knockout places with a 16-run win over Melbourne Stars.

Ash Gardner struck a 31-ball 50 and Sophia Dunkley hit 41, with the pair putting on 55 for the third wicket as Sixers closed on 164-5.

Stars were 30-4 inside the powerplay of their reply, before Maia Bouchier reignited their innings.

The England batter hit 67 from 40 balls, adding 82 for the fifth wicket with Kim Garth.

Gardner, who finished with figures of 3-31, removed Garth, while Bouchier was caught off the bowling of Mady Villiers as Stars finished on 140-8.

The result moves Sixers up to third, level on points with their second-placed opponents with a game in hand, and they are now the only side who can overhaul league leaders Hobart Hurricanes.

In the day's later game, two sides out of contention for the knockout stages faced off, and Sydney Thunder condemned Brisbane Heat to their eighth defeat of the season, beating the bottom side by 23 runs.

Thunder's Phoebe Litchfield hit 61 from 43 from number three, and was the last wicket to fall as the seventh-placed side, who lost four of their top seven for single figures, closed on 153-7.

Heat found themselves on 63-5 in the 13th over, but didn't lose another wicket until Annie O'Neil (33) was caught by Litchfield off Georgia Voll's final of the match, ultimately finishing short of their target on 130-6.

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