Burns, Perry script Sydney Sixers fightback for finals spot

The first semi-final of the day, between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder, had featured a stunning piece of fielding on the last ball to take Heat through. The second semi-final of Saturday, 19 January at the Drummoyne Oval, required another bit of genius on the field at the finish.

Needing three to win off the final ball, Sophie Molineux, who had held the Renegades' chase of 132 together with an excellent half-century (55), seemed set to get a boundary through the off side. Erin Burns, though, covered good ground and put in a diving stop just inside the ropes to keep it out.

Sarah Aley collected the ball and sent in a sharp throw to wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy, who whipped around to throw it straight at the stumps at the non-strikers' end. Molineux, who was scampering for the third, was caught short, and the game went into the Super Over.

Marizanne Kapp, one of the best bowlers in Twenty20 cricket right now given her economy rates, was on point in bowling the Super Over, with her yorkers making it difficult for Renegades to get anything away. Needing only to do better than Renegades' 6/1, Ellyse Perry, the Sixers captain, went over the ropes off the fourth ball to wrap up matters.

It was only fitting that Perry, who had held up the Sixers' innings after a top-order collapse, hit the winning runs. Her 54* off 59 balls, and an unbroken 98-run stand with Dane van Niekerk, who made a brisk 51* off 36 balls, was vital in helping her side recover from 33/4.

The all-rounder was then back to have Emma Inglis bowled, got Amy Satterthwaite run-out, and held on to a catch off Jess Duffin to break a crucial 60-run stand for the fourth wicket.

The effort at the ropes was Burns' second big contribution of the day. She finished with a remarkable 2/13 in her three overs as well.

"In terms of what we've focussed on for four years, building that resilience in the group and the ability to step up when it counts is amazing," said a delighted Perry.

The Sixers will take on Heat in the final of the fourth edition on Saturday, 26 January.