Semi-final 2: Sixers v Strikers

When and where: 2.40pm ACDT/3.10pm AEDT on Friday, February 2 at Adelaide Oval

The squads:
Sydney Sixers: Ellyse Perry (C), Sarah Aley, Erin Burns, Sarah Coyte, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alyssa Healy, Jodie Hicks, Amy Jones, Emily Leys, Sara McGlashan, Angela Reakes, Lauren Smith

Adelaide Strikers: Suzie Bates (C), Tammy Beaumont, Samantha Betts, Sophie Devine, Rhiannon Dick, Tahlia McGrath, Tegan McPharlin, Bridget Patterson, Katelyn Pope, Alex Price, Tabatha Saville, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington

The last time they met:

The Sixers and Strikers don't have to cast their minds back far to recall the last time the met, playing two matches against each other over the weekend just gone. It was the Sixers who prevailed on both occasions - first chasing down a healthy total, thanks to a ton from Alyssa Healy, then a more modest target on Sunday after their bowlers thwarted any Strikers' attempt to build momentum with the bat. The Strikers are yet to beat the Sixers, but they know there's never been a better time to break their duck than in their maiden finals appearance. 

The back stories:

The Sixers almost flew under the radar after a quiet patch in the middle of the season, with losses to Perth Scorchers, the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder making them look mortal. But they finished the season strongly, winning their last five games on the trot, and have that aura about them again at the right time of the season. They're without South African pair Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk after the pair were called back for national team duties, but they've found at least one more-than-handy replacement, with Sarah Coyte wowing in her comeback from domestic cricket retirement.

The Adelaide Strikers have been the big improvers of WBBL|03, rocketing from a wooden-spoon finish last summer to their maiden Rebel WBBL finals appearance. They started strongly, led by recruit and new captain Suzie Bates, winning their first three games. But they dropped the next three to fall back with the pack, before bouncing back with five wins in a row to get their season back on track. They've lost three of their last four matches, but two of those were against the Sixers at the latter's home turf at Hurstville.

The road to finals (most recent last):

Sydney Sixers: WWLWWLWLLWWWWW

Adelaide Strikers: WWWLLLWWWWLWLL

The players to watch:

Alyssa Healy: The Sixers’ opener-wicketkeeper has well and truly recaptured her best form with the bat – and, worryingly for the Strikers, it was against them. She hit scores of 106 and 63 against them on the weekend, prompting Strikers’ allrounder Sophie Devine to say their bowlers would need “Plan A, B, C, D, E and probably F as well” to rein any Sixers batter in that gets going like she did.

Sarah Coyte: The former Adelaide Striker has only been out of domestic competition retirement for two games, but has already made a huge impact for the Sixers. With team leading wicket-taker van Niekerk and pace bowler Kapp gone, the Sixers needed someone to step up and support Sarah Aley. Coyte has more than answered the call, taking 5-32 across her two matches, including 3-18 on Sunday.

Suzie Bates: It’s no secret that when Bates is going well, the Strikers are tough team to beat. Bates was ranked sixth for most runs scored in WBBL|03 with an impressive 420, and has been a weapon with the ball, claiming six wickets – some in crunch situations for the Strikers – and held onto 11 catches.

Sophie Devine: The New Zealand international has relished having countrywoman Bates alongside her in WBBL|03, making 348 runs and taking 15 wickets in a strong season for the allrounder. Opening both the batting and bowling for the Strikers, she’s been a key factor in the team’s rise this season, and always finds a way to make her presence felt in the contest.

Overall head to head: Sixers 6, Strikers 0

Big Bash titles: Sixers 1, Strikers 0