BBL 7, Match 16, Preview: Sydney Sixers need a win to keep their hopes alive

Sydney Sixers have been one of the most consistent teams in the history of the Big Bash League (BBL). They were one of the finalists last season and had been rated very highly coming into this season as well, but their performance so far in BBL 7 has been shocking as they have been beaten four times on the trot and are almost on the verge of getting knocked out of the tournament. They desperately need a win in their next game tomorrow that they are playing against the Melbourne Renegades.

The Sixers are clearly missing Colin Munro who is one of the best T20 batsmen in the world right now. Munro is currently representing his country New Zealand in the series against West Indies and is not available for selection for the Sixers. Jason Roy, the other overseas signing who is opening the batting in Munro’s absence, has not been able to fire at the top of the order at all.

Roy’s compatriot Sam Billings who is reputed as a dynamic white ball batsman in County Cricket has also found it tough to get going in Australian conditions and the failures of these two players have hurt the Sixers.

Munro, in all probability, will arrive for the next game as the series between West Indies and New Zealand is coming to its conclusion tomorrow and once he arrives, he will walk straight into the Sixers XI. So this is the last chance for Roy to show the team management that he is worth being persisted with even after Munro’s arrival.

Apart from the overseas signings, the Sixers will also want the local senior players like Peter Nevill, Nic Maddinson and Sean Abbott to step up to the plate. They are trying to use Nevill in the opening role, but the way he played in the last game, it didn’t seem as if he had the game suited for that position. He was obviously promoted to take advantage of the power play and go after the bowling, but he couldn’t quite do that. It will be interesting to see if the Sixers open with him again.

The Renegades, on the other hand, had started the tournament with two consecutive victories, but their winning streak was broken in the last game as the Perth Scorchers got the better of them at the Docklands Stadium. They would be looking for a comeback.

An area of concern for them is the form of the skipper Aaron Finch who in the past has been a prolific run scorer for them, but hasn’t put his A game on display in this edition of BBL. However, he is a class player and is due for a big one now. If the Sixers don’t get him early, they will have to pay dearly for it.

The Renegades may like to use Mohammad Nabi slightly up the order. The Afghanistan international is more than handy with the bat and is capable of depositing the ball in the stands if he gets a bit of time in the middle. He is particularly a good player of spin and can maintain a good tempo in the middle overs if he bats at 5 or 6. His current batting position which is 8 is definitely a bit too low for him.

Renegades’ bowling relies on Bravo and Brad Hogg both of whom are the masters of their trade. The variations of the two veterans are not easy to pick for any batsman in the world and they as a duo can just squeeze the game for the Renegades when bowling in tandem.

Predicted XI-

Sydney Sixers: Jason Roy, Peter Nevill (WK), Nic Maddinson, Jordan Silk, Sam Billings, Ben Dwarshuis, Johan Botha (C), Sean Abbott, Steve O’Keefe, Daniel Sams, William Somerville

Melbourne Renegades: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch (C), Cameron White, Tom Cooper, Brad Hodge, Dwayne Bravo, Jack Wildermuth, Mohammad Nabi, Tim Luderman (WK), Kane Richardson, Brad Hogg