Women's Big Bash leading wicket-taker Sarah Aley says the Sydney Sixers have enough depth to cover the gaping hole left by hamstrung captain Ellyse Perry ahead of Wednesday's do-or-die semi-final against Hobart.
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Perry met with Cricket Australia physio Alex Kountouris on Sunday after sustaining a left hamstring injury in Friday's loss to the Melbourne Renegades at North Sydney Oval.
She's been ruled out of Wednesday's semi-final at the Gabba and looks unlikely for Saturday's WBBL final, should the Sixers progress that far, with next month's three-match T20 series against New Zealand looming on the horizon.
Aley, whose 23 wickets this season helped the Sixers to a first-placed finish, said the Sixers boasted sufficient cover for Perry.
"To lose her on the field's really tough but the players within our group, we've got enough depth in our squad and that's what we're really priding this group on, is that we do have that depth that we can cover when players are out," Aley said.
"Ellyse, she was one of our main bowlers for the first 12 games. I was bowling every game and when I got thrown the ball I had responsibility and I guess [with Perry injured] it might heighten the responsibility.
"Hopefully when I am thrown the ball I can keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully pick up some key wickets. The ball's been coming out well but at the same time it's a long time, it's 14 games and I have been a little bit inconsistent in a couple of those.
"At the end of the day it's making sure that we get the job done. If that means taking wickets or me being economical at one end and the wickets falling at the other then that's the way it is."
The Sixers women will fly to Brisbane with the men on Monday to prepare for Wednesday's clash against Hobart.
The Hurricanes secured their spot in the top four with a nail-biting win over the Melbourne Stars on Saturday, and Aley warned her teammates the Tasmanian outfit would be a difficult proposition.
"They've been the underdogs, flying under the radar a little bit – they're going to be a massive challenge," Aley said.
"There's probably a little bit of niggle in there because we haven't actually lost to them yet throughout the Big Bash set-up.
"We know what momentum can do. They had a disappointing loss to the Stars the day before where a couple of things went wrong for them but then they came out and played a really good game of cricket.
"They could use those emotions from that game to help them through."
