Aley ready to rise to the occasion

Sydney Sixers finals hero Sarah Aley says she’s prepared to step up in this Saturday’s Rebel WBBL semi-final against the Melbourne Renegades at Drummoyne Oval despite a rocky preparation for the eliminator.

The veteran quick has a habit of rising to the occasion on the biggest stage; in WBBL|02 she captured 4-23 against the Perth Scorchers to help secure the Sixers’ first WBBL title, while last summer she took 4-18 from four overs in the semi-final against the Adelaide Strikers, following up with an economical 1-19 against the Scorchers in the decider to help the Sixers claim back-to-back wins.

But this season has been a tough one for the 34-year-old, with a calf injury seeing her sit out five matches midseason.

She returned to play the Renegades on December 27 but has bowled just 8.4 overs in the six games since her return – partly due to fitness and partly due to the Sixers’ rich bowling stocks.

“I’m easing back into it a little bit, I’d like to say I’m 100 per cent but I’m not quite there,” Aley said in the lead-up to Saturday’s semi-final.

“I’ve got a little niggle in my calf that’s holding me back a little bit from reaching my peak with my bowling but I know coming into big games like this I’ll be ready to go.

“Hopefully if Ellyse (Perry) throws me the ball I’ll be able to do a job and help out anyway I can.

“If it’s not with the ball, I’ll be doing everything I can in the field to make sure there’s a lot of energy.”

Aley has a reputation as the ultimate competitor, so it’s no surprise she feels she can find another gear with a spot in the final on the line.

“Funnily enough on the way in here I was thinking about previous finals and that was one thing that came to mind for me, was knowing I’ve been there and been able to perform on a big stage before,” Aley said.

“Not having had the preparation I’d like (this time), hopefully those positive experiences will help me coming into this game.

“If I am thrown the ball, maybe (it won’t be) four wickets but anything I can do to contribute to a win is what I’ll be putting my hand up for.”

Aley expects the toughest battle on Saturday to be between the Renegades’ classy bowling attack – which features New Zealand spearhead Lea Tahuhu alongside Australian representative Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux and Molly Strano – and the Sixers’ top-order, comprised of Australian stars Perry, Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner.

“It’s a whole new ball game once you get to the semis, but we’ll take a lot of confidence from (beating the Renegades during the season),” she said.

“They’re a really good team, the Renegades, they’ve got a really good bowling attack and we know we’ve got a really strong top order so I’m hoping they’ll still be able to take the game on.”

The Sixers and Renegades will meet in the second of two semi-finals at Drummoyne Oval on Saturday, after the Thunder take on the Heat in the opening match.