The Sixers' women's Big Bash campaign has been dealt a huge blow on the eve of the finals with captain Ellyse Perry set to miss the remainder of the tournament with a left hamstring injury.
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But in better news for the Sydney outfit, South African internationals Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp will be available for next week's WBBL semi-final after completing a five-match one-day series in Bangladesh.
Perry didn't play in Saturday's win over the Melbourne Renegades at North Sydney Oval and has already been ruled out of next week's semi-final after sustaining the injury on Friday afternoon.
The all-rounder was left clutching her hamstring after charging down the wicket on seven runs, before she was stumped by Renegades keeper Rachel Priest after which she played no further part in the game.
Sixers' medical staff have since ruled her out of Saturday's game and next week's semi-final, while playing in the decider in a week, should the Sixers get that far, looks highly unlikely. Cricket Australia will now conduct a medical review of Perry's injury before determining when she will return to the field of play while a replacement for Perry at the Sixers will be announced in the coming days.
At the forefront of Cricket Australia's mind will be next month's home three-match T20 International series against New Zealand.
Perry's absence didn't hamper the Sixers on Saturday with the Sydney side bouncing back from Friday's shock defeat to notch a 35-run victory and a top-two finish, thanks largely to a brilliant 84 from stand-in captain Alyssa Healy.
"It's a huge blow, losing your skipper at the back end of the season is not ideal," Healy said of Perry.
"She seems all right at the minute, still really chirpy around the group, she got here early today and was working with the bowlers and setting some fields and some plans.
"She's obviously huge to the group in that regard, tactically she's really good so hopefully she travels with us wherever we go and can use that experience that she's got in the group and we can go out there and perform for her."
Healy's knock included 11 fours and a six, the wicketkeeper taking it upon herself to stand up at the top of the order in Perry's absence.
"Normally I'm probably a bit bad and I rely on Pez [Perry] a little bit to bat us through the innings," Healy said.
"Today I guess I thought I might have to hang there a little bit longer than normal and it might have done me some good so maybe I should think about that more often."
Sydney's semi-final opponent and location will be determined late on Saturday night after the men's clash between the Sixers and Perth Scorchers.
