Sixers skipper Ellyse Perry confident of turning the tide

victory over city rivals Sydney Thunder on Wednesday (November 18) could be the moment that turns their campaign around after five consecutive losses in the sixth edition of Women's Big Bash League.

"It was the end of the season otherwise. It's completely critical. Hopefully, it's a turning point for us." Perry told reporters after the match.

"Now, we can go forward and be in the hunt for another final. Without tonight, that wouldn't be the case. So, as it stands at the moment, it was super important."

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Perry recalled the first season where the Sixers lost their first six matches and then went on to reach the finals. She said that when the team is going through a rough patch, it could be hard to get clear answers. "You have to dig in and hold on for a fight. That's a bit of a cliche. But it is, sort of, the case for us now that we've got two games to go. We just got to play well."

The 30-year-old said that she had been talking to the team members over the past week, adding, "to respond the way we did tonight is important. I am really proud that the girls have really shown that kind of fight".

Perry credited Sixers' head coach Ben Sawyer for the idea to open the bowling with Dane van Niekerk, which helped them get an early breakthrough. "I think the incredible amount of work he does behind the scenes in terms of analysing opposition and trends of each tournament we are playing, and I think that was such an important wicket for us early on."

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The Sixers skipper was high on praise for Alyssa Healy and van Niekerk - who made crucial contributions with the bat - and Erin Burns, who was exceptional in the field, with three wickets and four catches to her credit.

A dazzling performance from Erin Burns.

For her three wickets and four catches, she's the @rebelsport Player of the Match! #WBBL06 pic.twitter.com/0tzR98TSo3

— Rebel Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 18, 2020

"Those two girls are such important players in our line-up. In the field, it's a pretty special performance. Erin Burns' athleticism got us a long way in winning this match. These are the key things that we did different tonight."

Speaking about the return of Ashleigh Gardner, Perry said that the allrounder is improving every day. "Whether or not we will see her in the next game or the game after, is still a 'wait and see' kind of proposition. She's certainly better. She has got a lot more spirit back and definitely, looks better. So, hopefully, in the next few days."

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While highlighting the significance of Gardner's presence in the team, she said, "I think she is one of the most dynamic batters in the competition. I think she has bowled really well this season which has been huge for us and she has been great in the field. It adds a lot."

However, Perry was confident that if they could play to their potential irrespective of who is playing in the XI, they are capable of winning matches. "That's the challenge for us in the next two games, and it's kind of exciting. We have to go with a clear idea of what we need to do," she concluded.