Perth beat Sixers, will host WBBL final

Perth Scorchers will take a six-game winning streak into their home WBBL final at Optus Stadium after they heaped more misery on the Sydney Sixers.

Led by Alana King’s three wickets and Chloe Piparo’s maiden WBBL half century, the Scorchers cruised to an eight-wicket win over the Sixers on Sunday at Adelaide Oval with 17 balls to spare.

As the Sixers finished bottom, Cricket Australia confirmed that Optus Stadium will host the WBBL final on Saturday for the first time.

The Melbourne Renegades, Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers now play in semi-finals on Wednesday and Thursday, most likely at Adelaide Oval, to determine who meets the Scorchers in the final.

The Strikers’ match later on Sunday against the Melbourne Stars, also at Adelaide Oval, will determine the semi-final match-ups.

But the Renegades will finish second after two successive losses cost them top spot.

While the Renegades stumbled late in the season, the Scorchers are the form side heading into the finals and they were too strong for the hapless Sixers.

Sydney’s 4-128 after they won the toss was never going to be enough and Perth waltzed to 2-131 in 17.1 overs.

After winning the toss, the Sixers made a bright start – in stark contrast to Saturday, when their 82 against Adelaide was the lowest score of the WBBL season.

But after Alana King dropped Alyssa Healy when she was on 14, the legspinner made amends with her first delivery.

King bowled Healy for 17 and two balls later, trapped Shafali Verma lbw for 27.

The Sixers went from cruising at 0-46 after seven overs to 2-47 three deliveries later and never regained their momentum.

No.3 Ellyse Perry top-scored with 39no and King snared 3-18 from four overs.

Openers Sophie Devine (18) and Beth Mooney (26) made a bright start to the Scorchers innings and after their dismissals, Piparo and Heather Graham finished off the job.

Piparo his six fours in her unbeaten 50 from 39 balls and Graham was 34no.

Perth beat Sixers, will host WBBL final
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