‘We probably saved our worst game for our last game’: Sixers out for WBBL revenge, lose skipper for opening game

The Sixers have lost the world’s best T20 bowler and will be without their suspended captain for the season opener.

Sydney’s unseasonably dreary weather hasn’t dampened the spirits of Sixers players who are determined to avenge last year’s WBBL final loss, although they’ll have to start their new campaign without the suspended Ellyse Perry.

The star all-rounder was banned for one match due to slow over rates after the Sixers were hit with their third offence of the season in last year’s decider.

Perry’s suspension opens the door for all-rounder Ash Gardner to lead the team, with last year’s player of the tournament looking forward to the challenge when the tournament starts on Thursday night with the Sixers hosting the Stars.

Ashleigh Gardner will captain the Sixers in the WBBL opener with regular skipper Ellyse Perry out suspended. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

“It’s really unfortunate for Pez to miss the first game, but we know the rules as players. We were slow in quite a few games last year, so it just so happens that it’s our first game (that she misses),” said Gardner, who captained the Governor-General’s XI earlier this year.

“It’s an opportunity that I’m looking forward to. Being vice-captain is very different to being captain, so I just have to wrap my head around that, but I’ve got a great group of girls around me, so I’m sure it’ll be an easy-enough job.

“Being vice-captain and being in strategy meetings, you kind of get your head wrapped around the whole element of being a captain. I don’t think my role really changes, it’s just about helping our bowlers when needed.”

Sixers veteran Erin Burns totally forgot about the ban, but Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy always knew it was coming, although she says teams in the grand final should be given some extra leeway with so much on the line.

Ellyse Perry was banned due to the Sixers’ poor over rate in the WBBL final. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

“I’ve known all along. I think everyone had forgotten, but it got brought up the other day during our Aussie series,” Healy said at the Sydney Tower Eye.

“I’ve been getting stuck into Ash for the past two weeks about what her plans are going to be, so good luck to her.

“I get (why Perry is suspended) because it’s part of the game and we were warned multiple times that that would take place.

“The reality is that it’s a final and there’s a tournament on the line, so sometimes you should be afforded the extra time to make decisions.

“They’re the rules, we play within them, and it gives Ash a great experience to lead the Sixers for the first time.”

The Sixers are confident they can go one better after they fell short in last year’s final. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

It’s a big loss for the Sixers who will also be without English star Sophie Ecclestone when they open their campaign at North Sydney Oval against Meg Lanning and the Stars.

Ecclestone will miss the tournament due to a shoulder injury, but the Sixers are confident their new recruits can step up to replace the world’s No.1 ranked T20 bowler as they look to bounce back from last season’s heartbreaking loss to Adelaide in the final.

“We probably saved our worst game for our last game last year, but in saying that, we played some really good cricket throughout and we should take a lot of positives out of what we were able to do last season,” Gardner said.

“We have a different list this year, and not having someone like Sophie Ecclestone who set the tone for our bowling group last year (hurts), but having the additions of Jess Kerr and Chloe Tryon will add so much to our group, so we certainly have the list to go one better.”