Sixers smash Hobart to make WBBL final

Alyssa Healy has whacked 77 off just 45 balls at the Gabba against the Hobart Hurricanes to ensure her Sydney Sixers a second shot at the WBBL title.

Sixers players celebrate after a wicket

The Sydney Sixers booked their place in the WBBL final with a crushing 103 run win over Hobart. (AAP)

Like a team possessed by last year's heartbreaking WBBL grand final loss, the Sydney Sixers have booked their spot in Saturday's decider with a record 103-run thrashing of the Hobart Hurricanes.

The Sixers were merciless on Wednesday from the start at the Gabba, asking the Hurricanes to complete the highest successful chase in WBBL history.

Sydney dismantled them for just 66 to set up a final with Perth at the WACA.

Captain Alyssa Healy led the way, smashing 77 from just 45 balls with 10 fours and two sixes, setting up the imposing total of 6-169.

It was a crucial knock too, considering her opening partner Ellyse Perry has been ruled out for the season with a left hamstring complaint.

"It's probably helped me a little bit," Healy said.

"It's made me relax and given me a bit more time to get in my innings."

Healy was dominant against the spinners, but her innings wasn't without its chances.

She was dropped three times, including a difficult chance at mid-on when she was on just 18 off the bowling of Julie Hunter (1-22).

The ball slipped through Brooke Hepburn's hands and went to the boundary, before the Sixers' captain sent four of the next nine balls to the rope.

"Unfortunately, we put her down a few times which - a player like that when she scores very quickly - is going to punish you," Hobart international Heather Knight reflected.

New Zealander Sara McGlashan (38) and South African Marizanne Kapp (36no) then finished the work for the Sixers as Burns ended with 2-26 for Hobart.

McGlashan's innings might have come at a cost, aggravating a knee injury while stretching for her crease. She was later taken from the field in the Hurricanes' innings.

In reply, Hobart were never really in the chase, capitulating to 4-27 early after international stars Heather Knight (3) and Hayley Matthews (0) went in the space of one over as teen sensation Ashleigh Gardner claimed 2-9.

New Zealander Amy Satterthwaithe (12) was then run out by a direct hit from Dane Van Niekerk at point, all but sealing the Hurricanes' fate.

Van Niekerk (3-15) then cleaned up the tail, ensuring the Sixers' would easily top the previous competition record runs victory of 54 by the Melbourne Stars over Brisbane last Boxing Day.

It means the Sixers will play their second consecutive WBBL final, after losing last year's in the final over to cross-town rivals, the Thunder.

And they admit they haven't forgotten it.

"We don't like losing to the Thunder at the best of times, let alone in a final," Healy said.

"That was a bit disappointing but, to get another opportunity to go one better, we'll be ready to go on Saturday."


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Source: AAP


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Sixers smash Hobart to make WBBL final | SBS News