Sydey Sixers suffer a cruel blow with star allrounder Ellyse Perry sidelined by a hamstring injury
Perry out with injury on eve of WBBL finals
The Sydney Sixers have been dealt a massive blow on the eve of the Rebel Women's Big Bash League finals with superstar allrounder Ellyse Perry ruled out.
Sixers captain Perry injured her left hamstring while batting in Friday's match against the Melbourne Renegades, tweaking the muscle in an unsuccessful attempt to recover her ground and avoid being stumped.
Perry stretched back for the crease but was dismissed for seven, and did not take the field when the Sixers bowled in a six-wicket defeat.
Perry will be sidelined for today's rematch with the Renegades at Sydney's North Sydney Oval and, more worryingly for the Sixers, has also been ruled out of next week's semi-final.
The Sixers sit second on the WBBL|02 ladder with 16 points from 13 matches so far.
Perry has been a rock at the top of the order alongside Alyssa Healy for the Sixers throughout WBBL|02, sitting third on the overall runs table with 384 runs at 38.4.
Sydney Sixers physio Nicola Mepstead said the injury was confirmed after scans last night.
"A decision on her future availability will be made following a medical review with Cricket Australia’s Head Medical Officer, Dr John Orchard," Mepstead said.
Image Id: 722D93143C0B4C9EBA018F49CF36F632 Image Caption: Perry reacts in pain after tweaking her hamstring during stumping // GettyThe Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will also be sweating on news of Perry’s recovery, with a three-match T20 International series against New Zealand to begin in Melbourne on February 17.
That series will be followed by a return trip across the Tasman for three ODIs.
Tahlia Wilson has been added to the Sixers squad for today’s match as cover, while a squad for the semi-final will be named later next week.
While Perry’s absence will also be a blow to the Sixers’ pace stocks, the Sydney team will welcome back South Africa stars Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk for their finals campaign.
Fast bowler Kapp, the No.1 ranked bowler in the WBBL, has taken 12 wickets in 10 matches for the Sixers, her frugal economy rate of 4.79 playing a major role in the club’s success this season.