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Sixers v Canes: WBBL SF preview

The Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes will face off at the Gabba on Wednesday in the second semi-final of this summer’s Rebel Women’s Big Bash League

The Sydney Sixers will be hoping to continue their dominance over the Hobart Hurricanes when the two teams meet in the Rebel Women's Big Bash semi-final blockbuster at the Gabba on Wednesday.

The Hurricanes have lost all five of their previous encounters against the Sixers, including a rain-affected 10-wicket thumping in the WBB|01 semi-final last year.

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The Sixers finished on top of the WBBL|02 ladder on 18 points, while the Hurricanes secured fourth spot with a thrilling victory over the Melbourne Stars in their final game of the season.

Both matches between the teams this season have been won comfortably by the Sixers, first by 16 runs and the other by seven wickets. The fact that the Hurricanes failed to score more than 110 on both occasions this season shows the challenge they confront against a quality Sixers outfit.

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Despite missing the services of inspirational skipper Ellyse Perry, who has been ruled out of the semi-final with a hamstring injury, the team in magenta still boast a formidable batting line-up, which will be bolstered by the return of South Africa stars Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk, who missed the Sixers' last four matches due to international duties.

The Sixers have scored more runs than any other team, hit more boundaries than any other team and three of their players – Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy and Sara McGlashan - feature in the top 10 leading run scorers in the tournament. 

Add to that the competition's most economical bowler in Kapp and leading wicket taker in Sarah Aley (21 wickets), and the Sixers will be hard to topple.

Quick single: We can cover Perry's loss, says Healy

On the other side of the coin, the Hurricanes are the masters in close finishes this season. Four of their matches have been decided in the final over and the 'Canes have managed to win three of them.

Hobart have made one change to their squad for the semi-final, bringing in Meg Phillips for Celeste Raack.

Internationals Heather Knight and Amy Satterthwaite are the backbone of their batting having scored 642 runs between them, but if the Hurricanes are to upset the Sixers they will need one of their openers Georgia Redmayne or Erin Burns to provide them with an explosive start, as they did when the Hurricanes conjured up the highest total of the WBBL|02.

Their last three wins have come chasing, which means Julie Hunter’s new-ball spell against the Sixers could be pivotal if the Hurricanes are going to progress.

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The Hurricanes are more than capable of an upset at the Gabba but with form on their side it’s hard to go past the Sixers. 

Sixers squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Sarah Aley, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jodie Hicks, Marizanne Kapp, Carly Leeson, Emily Leys, Sara McGlashan, Angela Reakes, Lauren Smith, Dane Van Niekerk

Hurricanes squad: Heather Knight (c), Veronica Pyke, Erin Burns, Erin Fazackerley, Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Katelyn Fryett, Julie Hunter, Hayley Matthews, Meg Phillips, Georgia Redmayne, Amy Satterthwaite, Emma Thompson

Tomorrow's second WBBL semi-final between the Sixers and Hurricanes will be broadcast live and free on ONE, while a live stream is available at cricket.com.au and on the Cricket Australia Live app.

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