Perry, Short gear up for 'fitting final' to WBBL 4

Sixers topped the table, while Heat finished third after the group stage. However, the last time these two teams met, Heat stormed to a 66-run victory by dismantling the Sixers for 88 in a 154-run chase.

In Perry, the Sixers have the highest run-scorer of the tournament, with two hundreds just this edition. But both Beth Mooney and Grace Harris from the opposition are among the five players to make a century. Their strike-rate is also impressive: 126 and 150.4 respectively.

Both teams had tense wins in the semi-final, and are hoping to just enjoy themselves on the biggest stage.

"For whatever reason, before the semifinal, you feel really anxious," said Perry, ahead of the final at the Drummoyne Oval on Saturday, 26 January. "They are often the harder matches. If you are fortunate enough to get to the final, it's just about enjoying them. Our group is incredibly proud to have another chance to make a go at the final."

"It's exciting," added Kirby Short, the Heat skipper. "I think it's important we remember as a squad that it is always going to be nerves game day. The opportunity that we have tomorrow is genuinely exciting."

Neither team is taking the other lightly. Perry described Heat as "a seriously dangerous side". "They have played a consistent blueprint of cricket," she said, "and that's to take the play on with the players at the top of the order. Even players down a bit lower and even with the field and their bowling, they're a serious team ... It's a fitting final."

Short is careful not to make too much of their previous win against the same side. "Lightning may or may not strike twice," she said. "We know that the plans we had when executed were right ones. The magic of cricket is trying to do that over and over. Consistency obviously is that cliche thing in sport, but really is the key to performing in big moments."

The thrilling semi-final contests sparked a massive reaction from fans all across the globe.

When asked if this made her proud, Perry said, "Unbelievably so. The amount of people that have mentioned these matches in passing, or to friends, to family – that's a huge nod to firstly, this tournament and the success we've had with it.

"Secondly, the genuine growth and interest in women's cricket in this country has been phenomenal. There has been no better time to be a part of this."