The ongoing edition of the Big Bash League is all set for a thrilling finale as Perth Scorchers take on Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Saturday.
Both teams have been quite the force to reckon with and that’s why this promises to be such an exciting contest. While the Sixers finished at the top of the table in the league stage, the Scorchers ended just four points behind at second place. However, the Sixers defeated the Scorchers by nine wickets in the first qualifier to make it to the finals. That loss hurt the Scorchers a lot and nothing can taste sweeter to them than beating the Sixers in the final.
Perth have lost twice in this season to the Sydney Sixers. However, they had beaten them comprehensively the first time they locked horns in this edition. The Scorchers had bowled them out for just 97 runs to register a massive 86-run win. They would be eager to turn up with the same form in this game as well.
As far as the overall strength of the two sides goes, the Scorchers look balanced in every department. The bowling unit of the Sixers looks a little weaker than the Scorchers on paper. So it’s quite surprising to see that the Scorchers have lost to them twice. But the Sixers have used their limited bowling resources pretty well so far and they need to do that once more to lift the trophy. However, if the Scorchers turn up with their lethal best in this game, it would be very difficult for the Sixers to contain them.
Team News
Sydney Sixers don’t have any concern due to injury but the participation of Jason Roy for the Scorchers will be subjected to a late fitness test before the match.
Probable Playing XIs
Sydney Sixers
Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve O’Keefe, Jackson Bird
Perth Scorchers
Cameron Bancroft, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner (c), Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed
Key Players
Jhye Richardson (Perth Scorchers)
The young pacer has been the leader of the Scorchers bowling attack in this season. He is the highest wicket-taker too. Richardson has picked up 27 wickets at a sensational average of 15.44 so far and he will be looking to deliver his best once again in the final.
Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers)
The wicket-keeper batsman has delivered consistently at the top of the order for the Sixers. Philippe has amassed 499 runs in this season thus far, at an excellent average of 33.26. His strike-rate of 150.30 has been outstanding as well. He can run away with the game if the Scorchers bowlers don’t find a way to get him out early.