‘It was really bad’: How the Sixers moved on from humbling defeat as they prepare to face the Stars in crucial WBBL clash

The Sixers have shown that two weeks can be a long time in sport. But the proof will be on the field on Wednesday when they take on a Stars side that embarrassed them on their home deck.

It’s been two weeks since the Sixers were “wiped off the park” by Meg Lanning and the Melbourne Stars, but they have the chance to exact some revenge against the competition heavyweights in a blockbuster rematch on Wednesday.

The Sixers have won two of their past three – the other game was washed out – since they were humbled by the Stars on their home deck at North Sydney Oval.

After watching Aussie legend Meg Lanning smash 135, the Sixers were bowled out for just 42 on a disastrous night in front of their home fans.

The lowest total in Sydney Sixers history. #WBBL11pic.twitter.com/IM1Q5kj9F1

— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 20, 2025

It was the second-lowest total in WBBL history, with Ellyse Perry top-scoring with nine.

The heavy loss could have broken their spirit but they bounced back two days later to end Hobart’s unbeaten start to the season, then Perry hit an unbeaten 77 to chase down the Thunder in the Sydney Smash on Sunday.

She joked after the innings that “it’s not hard” to singlehandedly outscore her team’s total from earlier in the tournament at the same venue, with the Sixers looking to build on their momentum against a Stars side that was thrashed by Hobart on Monday night.

“I think when it’s that bad – and it was really bad – it’s actually much easier to throw it out the window,” Perry said.

“I think if you’re close and you miss really crucial moments or make poor mistakes, then you’re probably going to delve into it a bit more.

“But when you’re so clearly wiped off the park, you can actually toss it out the window and start again.

“I’m not defending our performance in that game, but in terms of resilience and our ability to move on and know that we’re capable of playing better in the next game (that’s something we have done).”

Ellyse Perry is in ominous form as the Sixers prepare to take on the Stars in the WBBL. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Sixers are currently in third spot and are two points behind the Stars, but the magnitude of their previous defeat means they need a miracle to leapfrog Melbourne even if they win.

They do have an extra game to play which means victory at Drummoyne and a strong finish to the regular season should see them finish second and earn homeground advantage for the grand final qualifier.

“Because we’ve had a congested schedule, we’ve just been thinking about our opposition coming up,” Perry said, insisting the Sixers are in a better position than previous seasons.

“Now we’ve got the Stars again and we’ve got a day or two to practise, there’ll probably be some real intent and deliberateness to that given our opposition.

“But up until now, I think we’ve just been focused on each game because you can’t look too far ahead in this comp given it’s too close.”