Bates shines in new middle-order role as Sixers make it three in a row

Sydney Sixers continued their mid-season resurgence to keep themselves in contention for finals with a 57-run victory over Hobart Hurricanes.

Important contributions from Ash Gardner, Chloe Tryon and latterly Suzie Bates, in her new middle-order role, lifted the home side from an uncertain 39 for 3 after Heather Graham had struck twice.

On what was a relatively low-scoring day by North Sydney Oval standards, it proved more than enough. Hurricanes were unable to get a foothold in the chase and were three down shortly after the powerplay.

Ellyse Perry claimed the key scalp of Lizelle Lee and Lauren Cheatle's one-handed return catch removed Nicola Carey for a first-ball duck leaving them 19 for 3. Their problems mounted when Tryon, the hero with the ball against Melbourne Stars two days, removed Bryony Smith.

Linsey Smith had sent down nine dots in two powerplay overs and claimed Elyse Villani and then she returned to add Heather Graham to leave Hurricanes reeling on 51 for 5.

Naomi Stalenberg briefly threatened but there was far too much for them to do. The result meant Sixers leapfrogged Hurricanes into fifth spot.

Gardner and Tryon had plundered 73 in seven overs to revive Sixers' innings but they then lost 3 for 2 in six balls during the power surge which threatened to derail them.

Graham claimed her third when she removed Gardner then Ismail, who earlier needed lengthy treatment in a finger injury after dropping a return catch in her first over and later did not bat, dismissed her former South Africa team-mate Tryon and Mathilda Carmichael in the space of three balls.

But Bates' experience came to the fore as she ensured against a lower order collapse. She put on a vital ninth-wicket stand of 31 off 15 balls with Kate Peterson who contributed just a single. Bates hit six boundaries in the last 10 deliveries she faced.