Sixers WBBL squad 'frightening': Schutt

If defending champions Sydney Sixers weren't already the team to beat in the Rebel Women's Big Bash League, Australia's T20 World Cup triumph put it beyond doubt.

Australia's squad in the Caribbean had plenty of strong performers but none more so than Sixers trio Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, who will enter the fourth WBBL season starting on Saturday in ominous form.

Wicketkeeper Healy took player of the tournament honours after plundering more runs than any other player and also topping the dismissals list with the gloves.

Gun allrounder Perry was typically damaging with both bat and ball, while 21-year-old rising star Gardner was named player of the final after claiming three wickets and scoring an unbeaten 33 in Australia's defeat of England.

Throw in returning left-arm quick Lauren Cheattle and South African duo Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp, and the Sixers head into the fourth WBBL season as deserved favourites.

"Obviously they've got quite a list there. It's pretty frightening to look at," Australian pace spearhead Megan Schutt told AAP.

"But at the same time, anyone can win on the day. I think that's the beauty of T20 cricket ... one person can take the game away."

Schutt's Adelaide Strikers loom as key contenders to spoil the Sixers' bid for a third straight title.

The Strikers boast the world's No.1 ranked T20 batter in New Zealand's Suzie Bates, while former Australian quick Sarah Coyte and England international Danielle Hazell are big-name additions.

Sydney Thunder, led by Indian powerhouse Harmanpreet Kaur, are another team to watch while Perth Scorchers will also fancy their chances after luring Australian skipper Meg Lanning across from Melbourne Stars.

Australia's next generation shone at the World Cup and with teams across the league continuing to unearth talent, the competition is likely to remain fierce.

"No team has gone through undefeated," Perry said.

"I don't think they ever will because it's just too competitive."

All eight teams will play at Melbourne's Junction Oval in the first of three festival weekends planned for the season.

The season will feature stand-alone finals for the first time – no longer playing as curtain-raisers for men's BBL matches.

All WBBL games will be played as stand-alone fixtures in the 2019/20 season ahead of Australia hosting the next T20 World Cup.

"I think it's really good faith put in us to play a good brand of cricket," Schutt said.

"Obviously that's something that we've got to take responsibility for, to come out and play the way that we want to and build up to the World Cup."