Sydney Sixers 104 for 1 (Perry 48*, Kerr 47*) beat Melbourne Stars 122 for 7 (Sutherland 42, Ecclestone 3-18) by six runs (DLS method)

The star New Zealand allrounder was player of the match in her Sixers debut on Friday at Junction Oval as they beat the home side by six runs under the DLS method.

Sixers’ chase started badly, when Kim Garth’s first delivery had Sarah Bryce caught by Meg Lanning at first slip in the second over for 1.

That brought Kerr to the crease in her first game since tearing her right quad in the October 24 one-dayer against India. Kerr made 46 not out from 41 balls, including five fours, and Perry’s unbeaten 48 from 44 deliveries featured six boundaries as they took the game away from Stars.

There were concerns that Kerr, the player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup, might be sidelined for much of the WBBL. But she has recovered from her injury ahead of time. Kerr has signed with the Sixers for three seasons after five WBBL campaigns at the Brisbane Heat.

Perry won the toss and Stars made a bright start, before she removed Ines McKeon in the fourth over. Stars stuttered from 32 for 1 to 50 for 3, before Sutherland gave some substance with her 42 from 36 balls, with two fours and two sixes.

Kerr dismissed Sutherland in the final over and also claimed the wicket of Tess Flintoff two balls later to finish with 2 for 36 from four overs.

The result means the two Melbourne teams both carry losses into their Saturday derby at Junction Oval, while Sydney improve to a 3-2 record.