Sydney Sixers recruit Yorkshire batter Hollie Armitage as cover for Ellyse Perry

The uncapped batter is in line for her WBBL debut after impressing teammate Alyssa Healy during this year's Kia Super League

Uncapped Yorkshire batter Hollie Armitage is set for a surprise Big Bash League debut after being drafted into the Sydney Sixers squad following an injury to captain Ellyse Perry.

Armitage, 22, has been awarded her first WBBL opportunity after impressing Sixers and Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy during their time together at Yorkshire Diamonds during this summer's Kia Super League.

The England Academy batter has been playing club cricket in Tasmania, and received the call from Healy herself on Sunday night during a post-match Thai meal with her team.

"Obviously I've seen bits and bobs from watching at home so it's pretty cool that I'm now getting the opportunity to come into this side and play a little bit," Armitage said.

"I don't know what my role in the team will be at the minute, but if I get the chance to bat at the top of the order I'll hopefully be able to strike some big balls with Midge (Healy) and contribute as much to winning performances as I possibly can for the amount of time I'm going to be here."

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Armitage is likely to come into the Sixers XI for Wednesday's game at North Sydney Oval against Hobart Hurricanes as a direct replacement for Perry, who leads the team with 469 runs at an average of 93.80 from the tournament so far.

The Australia allrounder is facing up to three weeks on the sidelines after injuring a shoulder joint during Sunday's loss against Melbourne Renegades, with Armitage available as cover on a game-by-game basis in the meantime.

However, the Sixers have been boosted by the news that South Africa legspinner Dane van Niekerk has been declared fit to return against the Hurricanes after injuring her left hand whilst cutting an avocado last week.

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