English star Danielle Wyatt has been cleared to play in the WBBL finals, handing the history-making Melbourne Renegades a boost before they tackle the Sydney Sixers.
The fourth-ranked Renegades are the first Melbourne side to advance to the knockout stage in the competition's history although they will be firm underdogs in Saturday's semi-final at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney.
Sydney Thunder host Brisbane Heat in the earlier semi at the same venue.
The Sixers are minor premiers and chasing a third straight crown, with the top-order batting power of Australian internationals Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy central to their dominance.
While Perry and Healy are ranked first and third in the competition run-scoring charts, the most prolific Renegade player with the bat is Wyatt, ranked 10th.
Wyatt confirmed England coach Mark Robinson had applied some pressure to return to begin preparing for a hefty international schedule.
"He wasn't keen on me staying... but after a long chat he's allowed me stay," Wyatt said.
"I love spending time with these girls and hopefully I can make an impact on Saturday and we can impress into the final."
The Renegades were well beaten by the Sixers in both regular season meetings including a final-round match in Geelong last Sunday, when Perry's unbeaten 67 set up a 29-run triumph.
Wyatt says her team shouldn't be daunted, believing there is quality dotted through the Renegades lineup, including the batting of captain Amy Satterthwaite and the offspin of Molly Strano, which has claimed 19 scalps this season.
"I've been lucky enough to play a few World Cup finals, a few Ashes, big games so this is definitely up there as one of the most important games," she said.
Strano, who played five games for Australia in 2017, hasn't missed a game for the Renegades since the inception of the WBBL.
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