Sixers Teen Sensation Caoimhe Bray Suffers Stress Fracture Setback, Likely Out for Season

Sydney Sixers' rising star Caoimhe Bray has been sidelined indefinitely after scans confirmed a recurrence of a stress fracture in her back, ruling her out of Thursday’s WBBL Challenger against Perth Scorchers at North Sydney Oval and likely ending her season with both New South Wales and the Sixers.

Bray, 16, one of Australia’s most exciting multi-sport prospects, had also missed the end of last summer with the same injury. The re-emergence of the stress fracture is expected to keep her out for several months, halting what had been a breakout year.

The teenage fast bowler burst onto the scene earlier this season, becoming the youngest player to take a hat-trick in any major women’s T20 league when she achieved the feat against Sydney Thunder. Before her cricket rise, she represented the Young Matildas in 2024 as a goalkeeper, drawing frequent comparisons to dual-sport icon Ellyse Perry.

Dual-Sport Future Remains Open

Despite the injury setback, Bray has previously expressed her desire to continue juggling both football and cricket.

“I have to commit myself to cricket for the summer… and when winter comes around, soccer comes back,” she said last month. “So many people ask: ‘Will you still play soccer or cricket?’ People have their own opinions… but so much can change.”

She added, “If you don't know the future, neither do I… but I am going to try and stick to doing both as much as I can.”

Bray is contracted with the Sixers for three years, giving her time to reassess her sporting path once fully recovered.

Sixers’ Finals Path Continues Without Her

With Bray ruled out, the Sixers face the Scorchers on Thursday night in the Challenger. The winner will advance to Saturday’s WBBL final against Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval.

Her absence is a significant blow for the Sixers, who lose one of their most dynamic emerging talents at a crucial stage of the competition.