The 2025–26 Big Bash League season gets underway with a blockbuster as the Perth Scorchers host the Sydney Sixers, a matchup that has come to define the modern BBL. Perth return home eager to reassert their dominance after missing finals last summer, while the Sixers arrive with a point to prove following another frustrating campaign that promised more than it delivered. Expect a loud Optus Stadium, high intensity from ball one, and an opening night that sets the tone for the season ahead.
BBL15 Scorchers vs Sixers Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Sunday 14th December, 7.15pm (AEDT)
Scorchers
Squad: Mitch Marsh, Ashton Agar, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Laurie Evans, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, David Payne, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
Perth will again lean on their home-ground blueprint, but they do so missing several key pieces. Jhye Richardson, Josh Inglis and Lance Morris are all unavailable due to Test commitments and injury, while David Payne is away at the ILT20. That leaves the Scorchers’ pace attack looking different to recent seasons, with Matt Kelly, Joel Paris and teenage quick Mahli Beardman expected to carry the load alongside the control of Ashton Agar. Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly will be important in providing sixth-bowler flexibility.
With the bat, Mitch Marsh headlines a powerful top order and shapes as the key figure early in the season. Finn Allen is expected to keep wicket despite competition from Laurie Evans, with the latter more likely to feature purely as a middle-order hitter. The rest of the batting looks settled, but Perth will need early contributions to compensate for the reduced strike power and experience missing from their bowling unit.
Sixers
Squad: Sean Abbott, Babar Azam, Jafer Chohan, Sam Curran Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith
The Sixers arrive in Perth without Steve Smith, Mitch Starc and Sam Curran due to Test and ILT20 commitments, and they are also likely to be without Sean Abbott because of a hamstring issue. Even so, their squad remains deep and well balanced. Babar Azam headlines the side and is set to open, supported by Daniel Hughes and Josh Philippe, giving the Sixers a composed and technically sound top three ideally suited to blunting Perth’s new-ball attack.
Bowling-wise, the Sixers will likely tailor their attack to Optus Stadium conditions. Ben Dwarshuis, Kane Richardson and Mitch Perry provide pace and experience, while Hayden Kerr adds variety and balance. Todd Murphy is expected to be the lone spinner, with Jafer Chohan likely to miss out. While Abbott’s absence is significant, the Sixers’ ability to rotate their quicks and maintain pressure remains a strength.
Prediction
Perth are always dangerous at home, but their opening-night line-up lacks several of the weapons that have underpinned their dominance at Optus Stadium in recent years. Without Richardson and Morris as well as the departures of Andrew Tye and Jason Behrendorff, their pace attack looks more manageable, and the Sixers’ top order is well equipped to absorb early pressure and build a platform.
The Sixers’ batting depth, headlined by Babar Azam, combined with a disciplined and adaptable bowling group, gives them a slight edge in what shapes as a tactical contest rather than a shootout. If they can get through the powerplay with wickets in hand, Sydney should be well placed to control the game. The tip is for the Sixers to spoil the season opener and start their campaign with a strong away win.
Sixers H2H
$2.10 (2 Units)
Player Prop
Moises Henriques shapes as a strong player prop option in the season opener, particularly around 30 plus runs. He has an excellent record at Optus Stadium, scoring 178 runs across five innings at an average of 44.5, and his game is well suited to Perth’s true bounce and fast outfield. Batting in the middle order against a Scorchers attack missing several frontline quicks, Henriques should get the opportunity to build an innings rather than being forced into all-out aggression, making him a reliable value play to pass a modest runs line.
