Wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy believes an attacking mindset has been key to the Sydney Sixers’ recent WBBL success as the title favourites look to build on an explosive start to the new season in Wollongong on Tuesday.
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The Sixers can make it three wins from three matches when they play Perth Scorchers at North Dalton Park.
Sydney were dominant in both of their matches on the opening weekend of the campaign.
A stunning competition-high of 114 off 52 balls from Ashleigh Gardiner propelled them to a league record 4-242 against the Melbourne Stars in game one.
The Sixers defended the total with ease at North Sydney Oval before chasing down rivals Sydney Thunder on Sunday afternoon at the same venue.
They will look to continue that form in Wollongong and plan to show the same attacking intent.
"It’s one of our team mottos and one of the main things we want to do this season is attack," Healy said.
"The last two seasons we have played attacking and aggressive cricket with the bat and ball. That's been successful for us so the key thing is to keep that up.
"We have a potent batting line up so we have to play the way we know we can.
"Our bowling has been fantastic as well."
The Sixers and Scorchers met in last season’s decider, with the NSW club walking away with the silverware.
Both clubs are considered to be leading contenders again in the third season of the domestic competition.
Healy admitted the grand final rematch would provide an early season form guide.
"It will be a [measuring stick] for us," she said.
"We played them in a trial last week and they got the better of us, but we were both missing some players.”
The match comes after a busy opening weekend which saw the Women’s BBL draw record viewer figures and gained considerable interest.
It’s been matched by an increase in quality on the pitch, according to Healy.
"It's a strong competition across the board and becoming even stronger,” she said.
"I think it is the strongest competition we have had yet.
"We have a similar list to the one we have had in previous years.
"We have kept the core group together and added a few to that list.
“Now there is a great spread of talent around the country which is exciting as well."
Tuesday’s match will be the first time a regular season Women’s BBL game has been played in the Illawarra.
"It's nice to take these games to other areas,” Healy said.
"The whole purpose of it is to grow cricket which is always a good thing.
"It's a great game and will be a home game for a few of our players as well so they will get to play in front of some family and friends.
"Hopefully there is a nice local turnout."
The fixture will be followed by a trial game between the Sydney Sixers and the Hobart Hurricanes in preparation for the upcoming Men’s Big Bash.
- BIG BASH
Tuesday
North Dalton Park
Women’s BBL (12pm)
SYDNEY SIXERS v PERTH SCORCHERS
Sixers: Ellyse Perry c, Sarah Aley, Erin Burns, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alyssa Healy, Jodie Hicks, Marizanne Kapp, Emily Leys, Sara McGlashan, Angela Reakes, Lauren Smith, Dane Van Niekerk.
Scorchers: Elyse Villani c, Nicole Bolton, Katherine Brunt, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Lauren Ebsary, Heather Graham, Katie Hartshorn, Mikayla Hinkley, Emma King, Thamsyn Newton, Natalie Sciver, Emily Smith.
Men’s BBL trial (4.30pm)
SYDNEY SIXERS v HOBART HURRICANES
Sixers: Sean Abbott, Sam Billings, Johan Botha, Harry Conway, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Stephen O’Keefe, Jason Roy, Daniel Sams, Jordan Silk, Will Somerville.
Hurricanes (squad): George Bailey c, Jofra Archer, Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Alex Doolan, Caleb Jewell, Hamish Kingston, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, Tymal Mills, Sam Rainbird, Nathan Reardon, Tom Rogers, Clive Rose, D’Arcy Short, Aaron Summers, Matthew Wade.
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