BBL7 - Sydney Sixers Season Preview
BBL7 SYDNEY SIXES SEASON PREVIEW
BBL6 Results - 3rd, 5 Wins, 3 Losses, (Lost Grand Final to Perth Scorchers)
Titles - 1
Semi Finals Appearances - 4/6
Current Squad (Subject to Change) - Sean Abbott, Sam Billings (Eng), Jackson Bird, Johan Botha, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood?, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Stephen O’Keefe, Jason Roy (Eng), Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc, Henry Thornton, Daniel Sams
Notable Ins: Peter Nevill (Renegades), Henry Thornton (Upgrade)
Notable Outs: Ryan Carters, Brad Haddin, Michael Lumb (all retired)
Head Coach - Greg Shipperd
SQUAD BREAKDOWN
OVERSEAS RATING - Sam Billings (Eng) and Jason Roy (Eng) The Sixers will be relying on a couple of Englishmen again in Jason Roy and Sam Billings. Both players showed glimpses last year of their best, however were inconsistent and not a massive reason why the Sixers made it all the way to the finals. Roy started well but ended up with 92 runs at an average of 23, whilst Billings played a few handy innings to finish with 127 runs at an average of 31. Roy will be expected to be a bit more consistent and dynamic at the top of the order, whilst Billings will target the spinners with his ability to reverse sweep. Both have played over a dozen T20 Internationals for England so I’m expecting, given it is their second season in the BBL, that these two will have a higher level of expectation on them this season.
BATTING RATING - This is a pretty classy batting line up with good depth and different types of players. The Sixers have 5 of their top 6 players having played T20 cricket for Australia or England so there really are no excuses for this unit. Even though they made the final last year, the likes of Roy and Maddinson were disappointing at times, so I am expecting them to bounce back this year. Henriques is a powerful and experienced player, and Daniel Hughes has been a revelation at the top of the order. Maybe they lack a massive hitter in the middle, however the likes of Botha and Abbott should be handy if they need runs towards the end of the innings.
SPIN BOWLING RATING - The Sixers are pretty well served here by two experienced finger spinners in Stephen O’Keefe and Johan Botha. O’Keefe only has 40 wickets through 58 games, however his economy rate of 6.87 means he is generally a banker for 4 overs a game. Botha, like O’Keefe, is not a guy who will run through a side, however he is very canny with his change up and has a great competitive fire. On a slow and turning SCG surface these guys will be hard to hit out of the park, especially with the long straight boundaries. The only negative perhaps about the Sixers spinners is they are not big wicket takers, so sometimes the quicks might be relied upon to take some of the big wickets.
FAST BOWLING RATING - The Sixers struggled at times last season with their seamers and could do so again this year. They lack a genuine strike bowler who can bowl 140 plus in my opinion, and that will mean opposition top orders will target this unit and try to rattle them early. The fact they have Starc and Hazlewood on their books looks great on paper, but they can provide very little value to them while they are playing Test and ODI Cricket. To me, they look like they are missing experienced seamers and will instead rely on all rounders like Abbott and Henriques to get them through. Abbott was outstanding last season, whilst the likes of Doug Bollinger struggled at times. Opposition teams will be trying to target the Sixers’ quicks early. Daniel Sams could be a player who surprises this year, as a left arm seamer with good variations.
INDIVIDUAL BREAKDOWN
THE GUN - Daniel Hughes - I have to admit I didn't think Daniel Hughes would prove to be such a good T20 player, however he has been outstanding for the Sixers in the last couple of seasons. Hughes has been one of the main reasons the Sixers have won games, with his ability to bat deep into an innings and increase the tempo once he gets himself set. Hughes plays with outstanding wrists and can hit the ball to all parts without really trying to smash it out of the park like a lot of T20 brutalisers. Hughes was a rock at the top of the order last year in a batting unit that underperformed, with 304 runs at 43. His overall strike rate of 112 is on the low side, so that’s something he might look to improve on this season.
THE SMOKEY - Sean Abbott - I say Abbott as the Smokey because he can be brilliant and he can also have his brain fades as one of the Sixers go-to all rounders. Abbott was the outstanding bowler of BBL6, leading all wicket takers with 20 at an average of 16, and playing a massive role in getting the Sixers to the final. His economy rate of 8.72 is on the high side, however there is no doubt he has become a strike weapon. His ability to bowl with great variations was a key strength, and he can also give the ball a real whack coming in around Number 7 and Number 8. Abbott has never been the most consistent player, so I just wonder whether he can back it up again this summer, or whether he will go back to old ways.
THE POTENTIAL FLOP - Peter Nevill - There is no doubting Peter Nevill is a very tidy cricketer, however he has never really had a big influence in BBL cricket. Nevill is often shunted well down the batting order, however even when he has had opportunities he has not really nailed them. Through 47 T20 games he averages just 13, with a measly strike rate of 107. Nevill, having been dumped from the Test side, will be looking for a big summer after playing the last few BBL seasons for the Renegades.
THE CIRCUITER - Stephen O’Keefe - You couldn't possibly go past SOK here. A terrific guy, it’s a shame he has had a couple of incidents that have put a bit of a dampener on his career. When at cricket camps and in and around the general public, you won’t meet a more engaging personality and likable character. I’m sure the boys will have fun in the Sixers’ camp, as they are always pretty laid back, and it has proved a recipe for success over the years. On a serious note, he will be a key player again for the Sixers.
THE VERDICT and THE PROPHET
The VERDICT - The Sixers are a very experienced and quality T20 outfit. Their batting looks very strong however both Sam Billings and Jason Roy, can expect to be in the reckoning for England's one-day outfit when their series against Australia kicks off on January 14th. The Sixers have players who have played plenty of cricket together with NSW so they’re a tight unit and know how to get over the line in close games. Having someone like Johan Botha as a local is a real ace up their sleeves, and their slow bowling should be dependable once again. If Maddinson and Henriques fire, their batting looks pretty good as well, however I have a few doubts over their ability to hurt teams up front with the ball. There are plenty of question marks over their pace bowling stocks with the likes of Starc and Hazelwood unavailable.
THE PROPHET - "These boys are a pretty chilled out unit. They love a good time as much as winning games, however they have built a culture of winning over the years with plenty of players that have been around the block and enjoy each other’s company. They have a quality squad, with their quicks the only smelly part of the roster. I'll be backing them to make the finals again this year."