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No demons for Sixers despite final heartbreak

Alyssa Healy expects fireworks from the Sixers' powerful line-up when the Rebel WBBL season begins on Friday

Alyssa Healy insists the Sydney Sixers carry no demons into the first standalone season of the Rebel WBBL despite a heartbreaking loss to the Brisbane Heat in last year’s decider.

The Sixers were red-hot favourites to claim a third consecutive Big Bash title heading into the WBBL|04 final at Drummoyne Oval, only to suffer a three-wicket defeat to an inspired Heat outfit.

They will not have to wait long for a chance at revenge, with the Sixers and Heat to play off at North Sydney Oval on Saturday night, after a blockbuster season opener on Friday evening that will pit the Sixers against local rivals Sydney Thunder.

"I wouldn’t say there are demons burning, but everyone is really excited," Healy said on Wednesday.

"You can see the energy amongst the group, we’ve got some new faces which really lifts the energy of girls who’ve been part of the group for a longer period of time.

"We’ve got two really tough games (this weekend), the Thunder first up who I think have put together a really good list and the Heat, who are the defending champs.

"It’s a real test for us up front, we’ve just come back together as a side and there’s a few niggles floating around, but it’ll be a really good test to see where we’re at as a group."

A star-studded line-up ensures the magenta team head into WBBL|05 as favourites once again, with Healy joined by Australian teammates Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner and recent debutante Erin Burns, alongside South African pair Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp.

Healy struck a world-record 148no in a T20 International against Sri Lanka at North Sydney Oval earlier this month.

Healy hammers world record T20I score

The wicketkeeper-batter laughed off suggestions of a repeat performance come Friday night, but there’s no doubt Healy will be key to the Sixers’ success this season, with the 29-year-old in career-best form with the bat.

She’s struck 372 T20I runs at 53.14 in 2019, to sit alongside her 669 ODI runs at 60.81.

"Don’t expect too much on Friday night, I’m not sure I can re-enact that anytime soon," Healy laughed.

"But we’ve got really potent batting line-up for the Sixers who going to be chomping at the bit for opportunities this season and I’m looking forward to seeing what totals we can put out there.

"I feel in a really good place and I know my job at the top of the order is to really go out there and take the game on and get the team into good positions.

"Sometimes that pays off and sometimes it doesn’t … I just feel I’m in a really good place with my cricket and I’m really enjoying it."

Heat complete triumph against the odds

This weekend’s matches at North Sydney Oval will be broadcast live on Channel 7, Fox Cricket, Kayo and the CA Live app.

Other week one action will see Melbourne Stars host Hobart Hurricanes at Junction Oval on both Saturday and Sunday, and Adelaide Strikers take on Melbourne Renegades at Karen Rolton Oval, also twice, with all four games to be streamed live and free on cricket.com.au, the CA Live app and Kayo.Sydney v Brisbane

Check out the full WBBL|05 fixture here 

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