Ruthlessness in big games the aim for Sydney Sixers as they look to forget final defeat

WOMEN'S BIG BASH LEAGUE PREVIEW - SYDNEY SIXERS: Ellyse Perry’s Sixers sticking to winning formula despite a heartbreaking finale last campaign

Coach: Ben Sawyer

Captain: Ellyse Perry

Overseas players: Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk (both South Africa)

Australia national team players: Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (all centrally contracted), Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke (both National Performance Squad)

Last season: Runners-up (first in group stage)

How did they do last season? Finished top of the table with 10 wins from 14 matches and squeaked past Melbourne Renegades in the semi-final after a Super Over but were edged out by Brisbane in the final.

Key players?

Ellyse Perry: Made by far the most runs with 777 last season, 221 runs more than the next batter. An average of 86.33, a strike rate of 121.21, two hundreds (everyone else managed four between them), eighty fours and 17 sixes. Top-scored in last year’s semi with 54, delivered the winning six in the Super Over and top-scored for the Sixers in the final for good measure. Oh, and took 10 wickets.

Alyssa Healy: Wicketkeeper Healy, who has 1,185 runs in the WBBL and made the fourth-most runs last season with 445 at 31.78, is quick behind the stumps and a destructive batsman. Her 148 against Sri Lanka in Sydney earlier this month was the fastest century by any Australian cricketer – only three players have ever made a higher T20I score.

Marizanne Kapp: Marginally outperformed fellow overseas player van Niekerk with an impressive total of 20 wickets at 17.5 with a brilliant economy of 5.8. One of the most threatening with the ball in the competition. A great person for promising 16-year-old allrounder Hayley Silver-Holmes to learn from.

^{Alyssa Healy made the highest T20I score in the history of the women's game}

Strengths

Having Perry is a strength in itself, while their South African allrounders are massive threats with the ball. Strength in depth is key too, with six players taking 10 wickets or more, four attaining more than 250 runs and several teenagers waiting in the wings to take up the mantle of success.

Weaknesses

Over-reliance on Perry. Her consistent brilliance means other players can afford to have an off-day, but in the big games they have been and will be found out. Only Perry and van Niekerk scored more than seven in the semi against the Renegades. Pace bowler Sarah Aley, 35, who has the most WBBL wickets, (69) leaving is another blow.

England involvement

None.

Squad: Sarah Aley, Hollie Armitage, Alisha Bates, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jodie Hicks, Emma Hughes, Marizanne Kapp, Ellyse Perry, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Dane van Niekerk, Lauren Smith

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