Marvel Stadium will play host to Friday's BBL Big Bash Finals 2022 game between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers. The game kicks off at 7:40 pm with Perth Scorchers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Perth Scorchers vs. Sydney Sixers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday January 28, 2022 at 7:40 pm
Where: Marvel Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers Odds
Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers Preview
The BBL|11 decider is a repeat of last year’s Final. But this time Perth Scorchers start warm favourites against the two-time defending champion Sydney Sixers.
The Scorchers romped to a 49-run win at Marvel Stadium – the venue for Friday’s winner-takes-all showdown – over the Sixers last Saturday to book the first spot in the Final.
Perth openers Josh Inglis (79 off 49) and Kurtis Patterson (64 off 41) set the ladder leaders on course for victory with a 120-run first wicket stand. Set 190 for victory, the Sixers slumped to 7/55 before some late slugging from Ben Dwarshuis (66 off 28) from No.9 added a tinge of respectability to the scoreboard. Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Ashton Agar and Andrew Tye all claimed two wickets as the Sixers crashed to 141 all out.
The undermanned Sixers bounced back with an extraordinary last-ball win over the in-form Strikers in Wednesday’s Challenger. Sean Abbott (3/27) and Steve O’Keefe (1/21) bowled superbly as the Strikers made 4/167. The Sixers looked gone at several junctures, but makeshift opener Hayden Kerr – without a BBL fifty to his name and filling in for the absent Josh Philippe – carried his bat with a match-winning 98* off 58, including a last-ball four. Abbott’s 41 off 20 in the latter stages was also crucial.
The Sixers were also missing Daniel Hughes, while an injured Jordan Silk came in at No.8. COVID has ruled Philippe out of the final with assistant coach Jay Lenton filling in at wicketkeeper, while Hughes is confident of returning from injury. Silk (hamstring is in serious doubt. Moises Henriques and Steve O’Keefe are battling calf complaints.
The Sixers will reportedly attempt a Hail Mary exemption request for Steve Smith, who was controversially ruled ineligible for the playoffs due to a contract snafu.
Scorchers too hot for Sixers in regular season
The Scorchers answered the 11th hour call to fill in on January 4 when COVID-19 tore through the ranks of the Heat, the Sixers’ original opponents. They defied the chaotic lead-up to win by 10 runs.
Lower-order batters Aaron Hardie (45 off 24) and Ashton Agar (29 off 20) helped the Scorchers reach 8/143 after they had slumped to 5/69 in the 13th over. Hayden Kerr (4/32) and Dan Christian (2/14) were the pick of the Sixers’ bowlers. After the Sixers crumbled to 4/16, Christian (73 off 61) set about rescuing his team with the bat. But he was the only Sixers batter to make more than 16 and their chances evaporated when Andrew Tye (3/17) dismissed him in the 19th over. Tymal Mills also took three wickets.
The teams met again five days later in Coffs Harbour, with an under-strength Scorchers line-up getting up by 5 wickets. Ashton Agar (2/23) was instrumental to restricting the Sixers to 4/151; Christian (35* off 20) top-scored with a late flurry. Ashton Turner (69 off 41) ensured the Scorchers reached the target with an over to spare.
Scorchers on track for record- and drought-breaking victory
The Scorchers and Sixers have both won a BBL-high three titles; the winner on Friday will claim the record outright. Meanwhile, the Scorchers are in line for their first success in five years. They beat the Sixers by 9 wickets in the 2016-17 Final; Turner, Agar, Richardson and Tye are survivors of that triumph.
The Sixers downed the Scorchers in last year’s decider on the back of erstwhile English import James Vince’s 95.
Given the Sixers’ personnel setbacks, it’s hard to see them saluting as $2.93 underdogs.
The Scorchers are essentially at full-strength, laced with experienced, in-form match-winners. Mitch Marsh was Player of the Match in Australia’s World T20 final victory in November and the stage is set for another trophy-winning display from the dynamic all-rounder.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Perth Scorchers to win at $1.38 odds.
Man of the Match:
Man of the Match: Mitch Marsh at $6.50.