Australia allrounder Ashleigh Gardner has called on Cricket Australia to implement stand-alone women's Big Bash League semi-finals after claiming her Sydney Sixers have been disadvantaged.
Gardner's Sixers finished as the WBBL's minor premiers, but will be forced to travel to Adelaide for Friday's semi-final with the Strikers as part of a double-header with the men's match.
Likewise, the second-placed Thunder also have to play an 'away' semi-final against the Scorchers in Perth before Thursday's BBL semi-final.
"Even though we finish first we do have to face the fourth team in their home state. We are at a little bit of a disadvantage," Gardner told AAP.
"There's no real benefit to finishing first or second at the moment because we do just follow where the boys go.
"Hopefully in the next year or two if you do finish first or second you get a home semi. That's where the game is striving towards."
It comes as CA and the International Cricket Council confirmed on Tuesday that the women's World Twenty20 in 2020 would act as a stand-alone event separate from the men's, with the final to be held at the MCG.
It's understood discussions are being held regarding the potential of a stand-alone WBBL moving forward, however at this stage there are no concrete plans.
It marks the second year in a row the Sixers have had to travel for their semi-final, despite finishing as minor premiers in both season.
In the WBBL's third season, CA's priority remains ensuring the women's game is accessible to as many viewers as possible and they believe scheduling double-header finals with men's matches is the most effective way to do so.
It means other possible options such as a women's-only double header in Sydney - similar to the one that drew almost 5,000 people on the opening Sunday of the tournament - wouldn't have been as effective.
"It would've been nice to have a big rivalry game here in Sydney with a big crowd ... maybe next year," wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy said.
"It's obviously really hard to plan ahead from a Cricket Australia point of view. They don''t know who is going to finish where."
Regardless, the Sixers are confident they will take the psychological edge heading into Friday's clash.
Healy whacked 106 and 63 to help her Sydney team to two victories over Adelaide on the weekend in Sydney, while the Strikers have lost three of their last four at home.
"Momentum is a big thing in this sport and it will be crucial heading into this one," Healy said.
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