BBL6 Grand Final Preview - Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers
BBL6 Grand Final - Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers @ The WACA
Preview - After 34 matches and lots of classic games it is time for the big one as the Scorchers host the Sixers for the right to be crowned BBL6 Champions. The match will be played at a sold out WACA, which could be the last time a cricket match is played in front of a big crowd at the WACA, as Perth's new 60,000 seat stadium is due for completion later in 2017. Both sides won through to the final in vastly different manners as the Scorchers torched the Stars, while the Sixers needed a dramatic Super Over to get over the Heat. The Scorchers dominated from start to finish against the Stars, with Mitchell Johnson claiming an amazing 3/3 in a fiery spell of 4 overs. The Sixers relied heavily on skipper Moises Henriques 64 and 18 n/o in the Super Over to limp over the line against the Heat, after they nearly blew an unassailable position with an all too familar batting collapse. These sides have plenty of history having already clashed in two BBL Grand Finals and one Semi Final. In BBL, the Sixers went to the WACA and upset the Scorchers by 7 wickets, thanks to a scintillating 70 from Moises Henriques. The Scorchers, however, got their revenge in Canberra in BBL4, sneaking home on the final ball by 4 wickets to capture their second straight title. Overall, the Scorchers hold a commanding 6-3 record, however the sides have clashed just twice at The WACA with both winning one each. The Scorchers will be going for their third title in six years, having now played in a remarkable five of the six BBL Grand Finals. The Sixers have history of their own having won BBL6 and won a Champions League in India. What better way to finish a season than having the two most successful BBL franchises going at it again for the third time, with all the chips on the table.
Squad Changes - The Scorchers have been dealt a huge blow for the Grand FInal with experienced top order batsman Shaun Marsh called up to the Australian ODI side. Marsh and Cameron Valente are replaced in the squad by left arm quick bowlerJason Berendorff and wicket keeper batsman Cameron Bancroft. Marsh had a very slow start to BBL6, however had been in sizzling form in the past two innings, and it will be interesting to see if the Scorchers elect to play Bancroft or put faith in Hilton Cartwright. It's been a tough couple of weeks for Cartwright after making his Test debut, having been ignored by the selectors for the Tour of India and dropped from the Scorchers first choice 11. Berendorff has been out with a fibula injury all BBL and is a proven quality performer, however this final might come a little soon for him.
The Sixers have been dealt a blow of their own with New Zealand international Colin Munro called back for ODI duty. The Sixers have replaced Munro with young tyro Henry Thornton who impressed during his single appearance against the Heat in Brisbane. I think more likely for the Sixers will be the inclusion of reserve batsman Jordan Silk into the starting eleven to replace Munro. Silk has not had many opportunities this year, however has a decent overall T20 record with an average of 25 from 28 games with 511 runs, and a strike rate of 120.
Perth Scorchers' Scouting Report - Without Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Marsh, the Scorchers will be heavy reliant on veteran opener Michael Klinger to get the side off to a solid start. Klinger is the side's leading run scorer, with 263 runs at an average of 29 and strike rate of 122, and he will be looking to bat deep to set this game up for the Scorchers. Ian Bell showed glimpses of a return to form in his last outing, and expect him to take on more responsibility by batting 3 in this game. Adam Voges has not fired in BBL6, with just 40 runs at an average of 10, however the Scorchers' skipper will be using all his big game experience to try and eek out a contribution to help his side here.
The Scorchers have far less worries with the ball than with the bat and I expect their bowling line up to remain intact. Obviously Mitchell Johnson is firing right now and his opening couple of overs could dictate the whole flow of the game. Johnson and Tye are arguably the best fast bowling combination in the BBL, and while Johnson can intimidate with his pace and aggression, Tye has more subtle T20 skills with his yorkers and change-ups. Tim Bresnan has slotted into the third seamer's slot seamlessly, and has 6 wickets at an average of 16, while only conceding 6.3 runs per overs. If the Scorchers have a weakness, it's the lack of impact Ashton Agar has had, with the young arm spinner only claiming 3 wickets with the ball, at an average of 64 and economy rate of 7.7.
Sydney Sixers Scouting Report - The Sixers have been the hardest batting team to work out this season given their Jekyll and Hyde displays. However, what is for certain is they always have seemingly one batsman step up and play a blinder to get them over the line when the side have been in trouble. It was Daniel Hughes against the Heat in the preliminary rounds, Sean Abbott against the Stars, and captain Moises Henriques in their dramatic Semi Final victory. I think Henriques is the Sixers' most important player, and with 242 runs at an average of 30 this year, he is often their big game performer and he proved that with his 64 and 18n/o on Wednesday night. It would not surpsirse me if Nic Maddinson fired in this game having scored just 66 runs at an average of 12 so far. Along with Michael Lumb and Brad Haddin, Maddinson has struggled for form throughout BBL6. Where the Sixers might have an advantage is down the order, where in Johan Botha and Sean Abbott they have two in-form batsmen capable of getting them over the line in a tight game.
Jackson Bird would be a bowler under pressure in this game, having just taken 1/133 since his return to the side. Bird is conceding 9.5 runs per over, and the Sixers need him, as the senior fast bowler, to step up and get the side off to a better start with the ball in this game. Sean Abbott has been the Sixers' go-to death bowler, and he has done an outstanding job this season, picking up 20 wickets, to comfortably lead the competition for wicket takers. Expect off spinners Nathan Lyon and Johan Botha to do plenty of bowling in the middle overs, and Botha will look to contain the runs by darting the ball in. Lyon has been outstanding and will bowl aggressively in the hope of picking up wickets.
Verdict - Perth deserve to be favourites given their home record, however I think this is very close to a toss of the coin. I think the loss of Shaun Marsh for the Scorchers is more significant than the loss of Colin Munro for the Sixers. There is something about the Sixers in these big games - they seem to get one or two guys play out of their skin. I think Perth have a clear advantage with their two premier fast bowlers in Johnson and Tye, up against Jackson Bird and Ben Dwarshuis. However, I think that is offset somewhat by the Sixers having an advantage spin wise through Nathan Lyon and Johan Botha up against Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner. I expect either Adam Voges or Nic Maddinson to fire in this game as they have been quiet all tournament. I think the side batting first will target a score of around 175 if they are to feel confident of victory. Lets hope this Grand Final is like the last one between these two teams which went down to the final ball!
The Lurker - "I jumped on the Sixers in Brisbane and I'm staying on them tonight to cause the upset in Perth and take out the title. Look for a bit of value in the High Bat/Bow,er double for both sides for the battlers out there. Take a stab at Henriques/Botha for the Sixers the the double of Bell and Bresnan for the Scorchers"