Sixers better placed for second shot at WBBL glory, leg-spinner Angela Reakes believes
Sixers ready for WBBL redemption
The Sydney Sixers have spent the past 12 months waiting for their shot at Rebel Women's Big Bash League redemption, but insist the path they have taken to get there will leave them better for this year's decider.
Defending four off the last over of last summer's final against the Sydney Thunder, an Ellyse Perry wide on the third-last ball sealed the Sixers' fate and left the star-studded side heartbroken last January.
Quick single: No Perry, no stress for Sixers
One year on, the Sixers appear a far more determined outfit after claiming a WBBL record 103-run flogging of Hobart in the semi-final at the Gabba on Wednesday.
"We're definitely out for some redemption," leg-spinner Angela Reakes said before the squad flew to Perth on Thursday.
Despite finishing top of the table, Sydney's path to the finals wasn't easy.
They slipped up in the early rounds, and had a number of matches go down to the last over.
They have defeated the Scorchers in both their previous outings, but one of those came down to the last over.
They also suffered a final-over defeat to Brisbane during the regular season and endured a Super Over defeat to the Thunder when scores were again tied, with the result going down on a boundary count back.
But Reakes said the pain of last year's final, plus the close encounters since then, have left them better prepared for Saturday's clash.
"There were definitely a lot of pressure situations in that final ... But we didn't have those tight situations throughout last year.
"This year we've had the super over against the Thunder and a couple more close games."
A large crowd is expected to roll into the WACA for the WBBL clash, with the match being played ahead of the men's final between the same two teams.
"They might not be behind us," Reakes said of the WACA crowd.
However it may still play into the Sixers' advantage.
More than 17,000 spectators were in the SCG by the time of their Super Over against the Thunder a fortnight ago, plus the core of the Sixers' side have played in domestic 50-over finals wins for the NSW Breakers.
"We're lucky," Sixers captain Alyssa Healy said after Wednesday's match.
"We've been in a BBL final before. We know what it's all about.
"We'll take a bit of confidence out of that."