Over the next week, we will be bringing you comprehensive team previews of all eight 2016/17 Big Bash League teams leading up to the much anticipated BBL06 schedule starting on December 20th.
Starting with last year’s wooden-spooners and working our way up, today we start with the Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes, who will both be looking to improve on last year’s disappointing performances.
Sydney Sixers
Squad: Moises Henriques (Captain), Sean Abbott, Sam Billings, Jackson Bird, Doug Bollinger, Johan Botha, Ryan Carters, Ben Dwarshuis, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Daniel Hughes, Nic Maddinson, Joe Mennie, Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe, Jason Roy, Jordan Silk, Mitch Starc.
Last Year: The Sixers finished with a dismal two wins and six losses in BBL05, which was a great disappointment after reaching the finals the year before. The Sixers have struggled to match their championship run in the competition's inaugural season, and last season, they played the role of little brother to their more dominant cross town rivals in the Thunder who won last year’s competition. The Sixers will be hoping to rectify that this summer.
Key Signings/Losses: While the Sixers have yet to add much in the way of raw star power, they have added some bowling experience in recent Test player Joe Mennie. English Batsman Sam Billings could also prove a handy pickup. English power hitter Michael Lumb departs Sydney this season after finishing top 10 in run-scorers in BBL05.
Players to Watch: South African Johan Botha has proven time and time again that he has mastered the shortest form of the game, with bat and ball. While he’s not always the most exciting player to watch he has the ability to hold down one end with tight bowling and make crucial runs at the end of an innings. Mitchell Starc’s availability due to Tests could be a determining factor in the Sixers progression through the tournament. When he plays, the Sixers are a dominant force with the ball with the likes of Doug Bollinger, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott already in the fold.
BBL06 Championship Odds: $10 at Sportsbet
Prediction: Unfortunately for the Sixers, as talented as their squad might be, someone has to lose. I think with Starc and Hazlewood inevitbaly missing games due to international duty, they just wont have the fire power with the bat or ball and I have them finishing in 8th Place.
Hobart Hurricanes
Squad: George Bailey, Cameron Boyce, Stuart Broad, Dan Christian, Hamish Kingston, Ben McDermott, Dom Michael, Simon Milenko, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Jake Reed, Clive Rose, Kumar Sangakkara, Shaun Tait, Jonathan Wells.
Last Year: Hobart finished BBL05 with three wins and five losses - a disappointing season by any stretch of the imagination. It was the second year in a row where the Hurricanes have finished out of finals contention, but with a strong batting lineup they will look to be in the mix in BBL06.
Key Signings/Losses: Star English paceman Stuart Broad will be a massive signing for the Hurricanes when he is available to play allowing for potential international duties. Batsman Ben Dunk has been a main stay in the Hobart lineup for years and his quick scoring ability could be missed after being traded to the Strikers for all-rounder Hamish Kingston.
Players to Watch: It’s hard to believe that the "Wild Thing" Shaun Tait has been around the Australian Cricket scene for over ten years and he’s still almost an unknown commodity. Tait on his day is an out and out game winner, but is also very capable of losing you a T20 if he bowls a bad spell. Dan Christian proved last year that he is the prototypical evolution of the T20 player, pitching in with valuable wickets and runs in the middle of the order. Retired or not, Kumar Sangakarra was and still is one of the best batsman in the world, a foolish man would claim he won’t have an impact in BBL06.
BBL06 Championship Odds: $9 at Sportsbet
Prediction: The Hurricanes batting lineup is very dangerous, I think their 7th place finish last season wasn't an indication of how talented this team is. If Broad can consistenly play then they should improve on last years result. I have them finishing in 5th Place.
Always Gamble Responsibly and stay tuned to our big bash betting tips page for tips for every match of the BBL06 season.
