Sydney Sixers season nearly over as Adelaide Strikers prove too strong

Sydney Sixers' WBBL season was all-but over after they fell to a seven-wicket defeat against Adelaide Strikers who in turn kept themselves in the hunt to host the final.

Sixers could only post an underwhelming 122 for 8 and Strikers got home with 15 balls to spare, led by the efforts of Katie Mack and supported by captain Tahlia McGrath.

As of Saturday night, Sixers still had the slimmest mathematical chance of making the top four but that would be extinguished if Brisbane Heat beat Melbourne Stars on Sunday. If Melbourne Renegades also beat Hobart Hurricanes, that would also lock in the top four with a week to run of the regular season and just leave jostling for finals hosting rights.

The team finishing second host the Challenger, against the winner of the Eliminator which will be played at the same venue.

Sixers needed multiple early inroads to give themselves a chance but though Lauren Cheatle produced a superb delivery to take Laura Wolvaardt's off stump that was their only breakthrough.

Mack, who has had another very consistent season, added a steady 52 with McGrath then Patterson lifted the pace with 20 off 12 balls.

Sixers' batting effort had initially shown some encouraging signs but they struggled to lift the tempo. Suzie Bates returned to the top of the order after a spell in the middle but couldn't find her stride before falling for 5 off 13.

However, Ellyse Perry dominated the early scoring and Sixers had 32 on the board after the four-over powerplay. But from there, it took until the eighth over as Strikers built pressure.

Ash Gardner's lean season with the bat, which has seen her average under 20, continued as she laboured for 8 off 10 balls.

After 10 overs, Sixers were scoring at under a run-a-ball and shortly afterwards Perry became McGrath's second wicket. Strikers' spinners then had an impact during the middle phase of the innings with Anesu Mushangwe and Amanda-Jade Wellington taking a combined 3 for 29 from six overs despite one very short boundary.

Chloe Tryon tried to keep things going for Sixers, and managed one huge six down the ground, but aside from her and Perry, Erin Burns, with a single boundary, was the only other batter able to find the rope.