The bitter sting of last year’s final loss, tarnishing an otherwise standout WBBL season, hasn’t faded from memory for the Sixers. However, they deny holding a grudge as they gear up for a fiery face-off with the victorious Strikers in Perth.
The journey from North Sydney Oval to WACA is formidable, but the Sixers vividly remember the day they were bested by a mere 10 runs, handing over Adelaide’s inaugural WBBL title to the Strikers.
“Not a word has been spoken of revenge,” admits the Sixers’ fast bowler, Lauren Cheatle. “Our sights are firmly set on what we can control and improve upon, particularly given our recent flow of play.”
The Strikers, a seasoned and formidable side, have always posed stiff competition, further fuelling Sixers’ appetite for triumph. Cheatle asserts, “Our desire to defeat a team of their caliber has never been greater. The upcoming game will play a crucial role in our tournament progress, and we are fully committed to gaining the upper hand.”
The Sixers’ dominance in the last season, marked by a mere two game defeats, was overshadowed by the Strikers’ superior strategy which rendered all but Ellyse Perry silent in the top order.
Reflecting on the season gone by, Cheatle recalls, “It would have been a fitting end to our splendid season to clinch the title. Nevertheless, the rapid pace of world cricket hardly allowed us to dwell on the loss, and we shifted our focus towards domestic or international challenges, as appropriate.”
The determination to make it to the final this season has been strong from the start, confesses Cheatle, despite the initial plan having gone slightly awry.
“The season is far from over and we still have ample opportunities to stage a comeback,” she says confidently. Flashing back to the season start, the Sixers’ performance report card presents a grim picture, having lost four of their first five games and key player Alyssa Healy due to an injury. However, Cheatle, who has secured nine wickets this season, remains optimistic about the Sixers bouncing back and fans witnessing more impressive performances from the top order, who have been heavily reliant on Perry’s steady scoring.
“I wouldn’t label the situation as panicky,” she says. “We definitely need to acknowledge and rectify certain issues if we aspire to be serious title contenders. We’ve been discussing these aspects internally and are taking measures to improve. Panic isn’t an option as the 14-game season has provided us with ample time to shrug off the losses, absorb the lessons they offered, and move forward with a fresh, positive mindset.”
