WBBL semi-final match-ups locked in

The Rebel WBBL semi-finals are locked in, with the top four teams to meet in rematches of this weekend’s action.

The Sydney Sixers, who cemented the minor premiership with a victory over the Renegades at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium on Sunday, will meet the Melbourne club again on Saturday in the second semi-final at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval beginning at 1.50pm AEDT.

The Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat, who played out an enthralling match in Cairns won by the Heat on Saturday night, will go head to head in the first semi-final, beginning at 10.40am AEDT on Saturday.

The highest-ranked team to advance to the final will earn the right to host the match, meaning the WBBL|04 decider will be played at either Drummoyne Oval or Brisbane’s Allan Border Field on January 26.

The Sixers will head in favourites to make a third consecutive WBBL final after defeating the Renegades on both occasions the teams have met this season.

“It was fantastic secure that top spot, it’s was what we were after this weekend in Melbourne so to get it first game off the bat was really good,” Sixers batter Erin Burns said on Sunday evening.

“Hopefully we’ll go to the MCG tomorrow (against the Stars) and finish off with some momentum coming into semi-finals.

“I think it’s great to win against the opposition we’ll play against next round and get one over them already.

“I think from today and from the last game against them, we’ve come up with some pretty good plans … we’ll just try and work out some ways to score off Lea (Tahuhu)."

The Heat, meanwhile, will go in with a boost in confidence after their three-wicket, final-over victory over the Thunder on Saturday.

“They’ve been the form team of the competition, they’ve got some world-class players in their line-up,” Heat opener Beth Mooney said of the Thunder.

“They’ve got great batters, bowlers and a real consistency in their line-up.

“I think it was really important to get the win over them coming into finals seeing as we might play them again.

“This is the first season where we’ve been consistent and that’s seen everyone contribute at different times.

“We haven’t relied on one player. It doesn’t matter who we play in final, I think we’ve got the line -up to do it and the fact we’ve played some really good cricket throughout this season reflects that.”

Tickets for the WBBL semi-finals are now on sale, with adults $10, concession $5 and children free.

All proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards Dolly’s Dream, a charity supporting the fight against bullying.

This season is the first time the WBBL finals have been played separately from the KFC BBL, with the final to be held on January 26.