The Sydney Sixers host the Perth Scorchers in the second semi-final of the KFC T20 Big Bash League at the SCG.
The equation was made simple for both sides after Hobart Hurricanes upset previously-undefeated heavyweight Melbourne Stars in the first semi-final at the MCG.
The Hurricanes ended the regular season in fourth place, with the Sixers and Scorchers second and third respectively, meaning the winner of the second semi-final at the SCG tomorrow will be awarded hosting rights for Friday’s BIG Final.
The winner will also join Hobart at the 2014 Champions League Twenty20.
This season’s semi-finalists are the same as in BBL01. In the league’s inaugural season, the Scorchers knocked out the Stars while the Sixers defeated the Hurricanes before going on to win the tournament.
Although the Big Bash League is still in its infancy, the three seasons of the competition so far have shown that the it really is anyone’s game. Teams that have hosted a semi-final have a 50 per cent winning rate, which drops further when you factor in the BIG FINAL. The visiting team has taken the tournament title in BBL|01 (Sixers in Perth) and BBL|02 (Heat in Perth).
The reigning BBL champions team has yet to back it up and make a semi-finals appearance to defend their title. The Sixers missed out on the semis in BBL|02, while the Heat finished fifth this season.
The Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers have a history of contests that come down to the wire.
Their battle this season led to the league’s first super over, which the Scorchers won with some superb death bowling from Yasir Arafat. Last season, the Scorchers took the points with 4 balls to spare, while in BBL|01, the Sixers defeated the Scorchers twice, once by one run, and then to claim tournament victory in the final with 7 balls remaining.
The Perth Scorchers have finished runners-up in the two seasons of BBL finals history, losing to the Sixers in BBL|01 and the Heat in BBL|02. Can they make it third time lucky?
“We’ve had some great tussles against the Sixers and we’ve won our past two games over there,” said Adam Voges. “To get up in the super over last time was really exciting.
“They are a very good outfit and we’re going to have to play very well,” the Scorchers captain added. “They miss one or two (players), but they are still a very strong team.
“We’re missing a couple as well and it’ll be who performs better on the night.
“They miss Smith and Henriques, but Lumb and Bopara missed last time we played them and can replace them.”
Marcus North will lead the Sixers in the absence of Smith and Moises Henriques, who are on international duty, while the magenta men welcome back Mitch Starc for the first time in BBL03, as well as fellow T20 Internationals Josh Hazlewood, Michael Lumb and Ravi Bopara.
A batting tail that has the ability to wag is invaluable and the Scorchers have shown they have that in spades. They hold the highest partnerships for the 7th, 8th and 10th wickets this season.
The Sixers have shown they have the ability to step up in close contests. This season they have won 3 matches by 7 runs or less, and 2 matches with wickets in hand but less than an over remaining.
The veteran spins on
Brad Hogg turns 43 on Thursday and this week celebrates the 20th anniversary of his first class debut for WA, which was at the SCG
THE SYDNEY SIXERS SQUAD
Sixers 13-man squad: Marcus North (c), Sean Abbott, Ravi Bopara, Trent Copeland, Mark Cosgrove, |Josh Hazlewood, Josh Lalor, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Nic Maddinson, Stephen O’Keefe, Dan Smith and Mitch Starc.
THE PERTH SCORCHERS SQUAD
Scorchers 13-man squad v Sixers: Simon Katich (c), Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Brad Hogg, Mitch Marsh, Craig Simmons, Alfonso Thomas, Ashton Turner, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman.
The BBL03 SEASON IN STATISTICS
| BBL|03 Stats so far | BBL Stats (99 games &counting) | |
| Most Runs | 348, Ben Dunk (Hurricanes) | 853, Aaron Finch (Renegades) |
| Most Wickets | 18, Cameron Gannon (Heat) | 33, Ben Laughlin (Hurricanes) |
| Most Sixes | 14, Chris Lynn (Heat) | 32, Aaron Finch (Renegades) |
| Most Total Boundaries (4s+6s) | 47 (35x4s + 12x6s), Luke Wright (Stars) | 99 (77x4s + 32x6s), Aaron Finch (Renegades) |
| Highest Score | 102, Craig Simmons (Scorchers) | 117, Luke Wright (Stars) |
| Best Bowling (Innings) | 4/10, Cameron Gannon (Heat) | 6/7, Lasith Malinga (Stars) |
| Most economical bowler (12 overs or more) | 4.75, James Faulkner (Stars) | 5.15, Lasith Malinga (Stars) |
BBL|03 numbers so far
| Average attendance | 19,539* |
| Total attendance | 605,708* |
| Average national TV audience | 897,906 |
| Average national primetime TV audience | 955,996 |
*Figures do not include Hobart (Game 3) due to a no result. All figures current at 3 Feb.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
Latest posts by James Buttler (see all)
- #CWC15: South Africa geared up for tight Sri Lanka contest - March 16, 2015
- #UAE15: Bon voyage Derbyshire as Champions Yorkshire land in Abu Dhabi - March 13, 2015
- Sussex sign Mahela Jayawardene for NatWest T20 Blast - March 13, 2015
