With the 2018-19 Big Bash League season just around the corner, we are previewing all eight teams and their chances this season. We’ve already taken a look at the Melbourne Stars, Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder and today we’ll be taking a look at the Sydney Sixers, who finished 5th on the BBL table last season.
Catch our other team previews here!
BBL08 Team Previews
Sydney Sixers
Last Season: 5th
In: Jack Edwards, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Dan Fallins, Justin Avendano
Out: Johan Botha, Doug Bollinger, Nic Maddinson, Jon Hastings (withdrawn due to illness)
Current Squad: Sean Abbott, Justin Avendano, Joe Denly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Dan Fallins, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Peter Nevill, Steve O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Henry Thornton
The Sixers were picked to be the cellar dwellers last season and surprised many as they won four games to finish just outside the top four. They will have a relatively young side once again in BBL08 and will be aiming to return to the finals after finishing 3rd in the BBL06 season.
Moises Henriques will resume his role as captain of the Sydney Sixers and will lead a bunch of untested Big Bash players as the Sixers add youngsters Jack Edwards, Llyod Pope, Justin Avendano and Dan Fallins to the roster. Some experienced heads remain in the likes of Henriques, Steve O’Keefe and Peter Nevill.
Joe Denly played only four games for the Sixers last season but should suit up on a more regular basis as the opening batsmen alongside Daniel Hughes. Moises Henriques will be the mainstay of the lineup after missing the majority of the BBL07 season through personal issues. Justin Avendano is a hard-hitting middle order batsman that could do some damage on the big stage while Jack Edwards has proven himself as a young star in the making in Australian domestic cricket.
Peter Nevill will take the gloves for the Sixers but all in all their batting line-up looks very fragile at the moment. With three roster spots still to fill, one of them an international marquee player, the Sixers will be desperate to add some more batting depth.
If the Sixers are to win some games this year, we think it will be through their bowling unit. Sean Abbott has been criminally underrated over all three of the Australian domestic formats throughout his career, while Steve O’Keefe is a proven limited overs spinner.
However, it’s the addition of young leg spinner Llyod Pope that has the country talking. The South Australian claimed 7/87 wickets in the first innings of his second first class match in October and looks to be one of the most exciting young prospects in the league.
1. Joe Denly
2. Daniel Hughes
3. Moises Henriques
4. Jack Edwards
5. Justin Avendano
6. Ben Dwarshuis
7. Peter Nevill
8. Sean Abbott
9. Steve O’Keefe
10. Mickey Edwards
11. Llyod Pope
Tough to nail down a Best XI for the Sixers as they have so many young players who could all slot in around the experienced heads. Either way though, they are probably lacking one strike player on both sides of the ball and should be on the outside looking in this season. On paper, we think they are the weakest side in the competition.
