Time for the Sixers to Shine in BBL09

Had the Melbourne Renegades not pulled off a penultimate ball victory off, last year could have been the Sixers year. This year, they look like they mean business. 

The Sixers have strength in depth alongside some of Australia’s best young players. Coach Greg Shipperd has the best squad available to him since he took over in 2015.

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First up, Steve Smith has signed up for the season. Alongside fellow Baggy Greens Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, the real challenge for the Sixers will be the availability of these three. 

Australia’s Test matches against New Zealand and the three-game ODI series in India will rule out Smith et al. for a significant tranche of games.

However, the Sixers’ quality is far more than just the international triumvirate.  England internationals Tom Curran and James Vince, both excellent white-ball operators, are back in pink and black.

Most exciting of all for the Sixers will be seeing how their young talent is maturing. In Josh Philippe, they have an aggressive wicketkeeper/batter who will soon get his chance on the international stage.

Leg spinner Lloyd Pope is an exciting option and improving his craft all the time. Both Edwards brothers are more than capable of coming into the team and performing their roles.

Captain Moises Henriques is no slouch himself while Sean Abbott and Steve O’Keefe are experienced players who get wickets. Also, Jordan Silk is handy with the bat. It is difficult to see where the Sixers have a real weakness.

The Sixers won the first BBL tournament in 2011-12, and have reached the final on two other occasions, but finished fourth last year. Daniel Hughes scored the most runs with 399, but it was the bowling unit that excelled.

Abbott took 18 wickets, O’Keefe with 17 and Curran took 16 as the men in pink and black put in some good bowling performances.

More of the same in BBL09 along with plenty of runs could see the Sixers taking the title at the end of the season.

Squad

Sean Abbott, Justin Avendano, Tom Curran (Eng), Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Dan Fallins, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques (Captain), Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Stephen O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, Henry Thornton, James Vince (Eng)

Fixtures