Sixers can cover injured Perry: van Niekerk

The Sydney Sixers are confident they can finish the regular season of the Rebel WBBL strongly despite the absence of superstar captain Ellyse Perry.

The Sixers have drafted in Englishwoman Hollie Armitage as a replacement for Perry, who is expected to miss 1-3 weeks after injuring her AC joint attempting a catch on the boundary in Sunday’s loss to the Melbourne Renegades.

In good news for the Sixers, South Africa import Dane van Niekerk has returned to their squad after missing Sunday’s game due to a cut hand, suffered while trying to slice up avocado for a salad.

Armitage, who has been playing club cricket in Hobart, was recommended to the Sixers by wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, who played alongside the top-order batter for the Yorkshire Diamonds in England’s Super League earlier this year.

The 22-year-old had been training with the Hurricanes, who she will instead find herself playing against should she made her WBBL debut on Wednesday at North Sydney Oval.

"I got a message off Midge (Healy) on Sunday night," Armitage, who has not played for England but has been part of their academy, said.

"I was out having a Thai with the club girls and she said, ‘we’ve got a few injuries, what are your thoughts on being a Sixer?’

"It caught me by surprise, to be honest."

Van Niekerk, who sported a bandaged left hand at Sixers training on Tuesday after receiving stitches, said she was hopeful of playing after bowling in the nets.

"It looks worse than it is, it’s literally a one centimetre (cut)," van Niekerk said.

"I was making a salad and I tried to get the pit out of the avo.

"I’m used to bigger knives and I had a smaller knife and it jammed straight in (to my hand)."

Perry - the Sixers' leading run scorer for WBBL|04 - will definitely miss Wednesday’s game against the Hurricanes, while it’s highly unlikely she will be available for their double header against the Scorchers in Perth this weekend.

The Sixers currently sit in third spot on the table with five matches remaining and need to win every match possible, with the team who finishes on top to host both semi-finals and the final on December 7-8.

Their tough run home also includes two matches against second-ranked Adelaide Strikers.

The Sixers won the WBBL|02 title when Perry was sidelined with a hamstring injury and while it is hoped she will be available for the finals, van Niekerk hopes the squad can draw on that same spirit.

"I think we have the grit in the team and the fight," van Niekerk said.

"We showed that three seasons ago when we won the second WBBL in Pez’s absence.

"That’s not to take away from what Pez done for us, she’s been incredible and it’s a massive blow but we have the depth, we’ve proved it before."

The Sixers will come up against a Hurricanes side that has lost its last six matches on the bounce, and who will have a new 'keeper after Emily Smith was suspended for the remainder of the season on Monday.

To come on Wednesday:

Renegades v Heat | Junction Oval | 10am AEDT

Stars v Scorchers | Junction Oval | 2pm AEDT

Thunder v Strikers | North Dalton Park | 2.30pm AEDT

Hurricanes v Sixers | North Sydney Oval |5.30pm AEDT

Strap yourselves in, because there's a massive quadruple-header of WBBL action coming your way on Wednesday.

In Melbourne, the Renegades host the Thunder at 10am at Junction Oval, before the Stars meet the Scorchers that afternoon at 2pm.

In Wollongong, the Thunder will look at return to the winners' list against the Strikers (2.30pm) while the Sixers will be involved in a bit of twilight action at North Sydney Oval against the Hurricanes (5.30pm).

All four games will be available to watch via a free live stream on cricket.com.au, the CA Live app and the WBBL Facebook page, or tune in via Kayo. And if you're not near a screen, listen live on the ABC!

The first standalone season of the Rebel WBBL is underway as the world's best cricketers go head to head in their own window.

Don't miss a ball as the Renegades take on the Scorchers, with a free live stream on cricket.com.au, the CA Live app and the WBBL Facebook page, or tune in via Kayo. And if you're not near a screen, listen live on the ABC!