Perth Scorchers will be looking to continue their superb run of form when they take on Sydney Sixers at the Manuka Oval on Saturday. The Scorchers had a horrendous start to the season as they went winless in their first four games. However, things have changed dramatically as they have won all of their last five matches. On the back of such a dramatic turnaround, the Scorchers now find themselves placed at the third position in the table with 20 points.
The Sixers, on the other hand, barring few hiccups here and there, have been more or less consistent throughout the season. They are enjoying the view from the top of the table at present, as they have a six-point lead from second-placed Sydney Thunder and a nine-point lead from the Scorchers placed at the third spot.
The main reason behind the success of the Sixers this season has been the form of their batting unit. Three batsmen in particular– Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, and Jordan Silk — have been in very good form. Moreover, their Lower-order of Daniel Christian and Carlos Brathwaite has played the important cameos whenever needed as well. Not only that, they have been an important part of their bowling unit too as the duo has provided them with important breakthroughs at crucial stages of the matches. Their lead spinner Steve O’Keefe has defied age to come up with a superb performance again whereas their pacers like Jackson Bird and Ben Dwarshuis have done their bit too.
As far as the Scorchers are considered, we can hardly find any flaw in this Team. The batting unit looks like the strongest in the tournament. The likes of Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Mitchell Marsh, and Ashton Turner have been scoring runs for fun. The pace attack consisting of Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, and others has looked lethal too. Fawad Ahmed, who has been playing as their lone spinner, has been very effective as well, whereas a youngster like Aaron Hardie has impressed with his all-round performances as well.
So this encounter promises to be a high-octane thriller considering the form these two teams are in. However, the Scorchers seem a bit strong as a team at the moment and that’s why they have a higher chance of winning this match.
Team News
The Scorchers will be missing the services of Mitchell Marsh from this match again but Colin Munro will be returning to the XI as he is fit again to play.
Probable Playing XIs
Sydney Sixers:
Josh Philippe (WK), Justin Avendano, James Vince, Daniel Hughes (C), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Jake Ball, Lloyd Pope, Steve O’Keefe, Jackson Bird
Perth Scorchers:
Josh Inglis (WK), Jason Roy, Colin Munro, Liam Livingstone, Cameron Bancroft, Ashton Turner (C), Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed