Scorchers and Sixers Set for a Historic Sixth Big Bash Final

Preview of tomorrow’s final between Perth and Sydney

CREDIT :- X (Big Bash)

It is arguably the greatest rivalry in T20 history since the format was introduced to the world over two decades ago. The latest chapter between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers will be written on Sunday at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The Scorchers are in their ninth final, and looking for a record-extending sixth title, while their cross-country rivals from Sydney will be looking to catch up, trying to clinch their fourth title.

To put into perspective how dominant these two teams have been since the league’s inception, out of the 15 seasons (including this one), only four of those had neither of these teams as a finalist. Out of the five finals that both have been a part of, the Scorchers are narrowly ahead of the Sixers with a record of 3–2.

The Scorchers are heavy favorites coming into the final, topping the table in the league stage, plus beating the Sixers both times they’ve met this season, including the rain-affected Qualifier match on Tuesday, where they bowled them out for just 99 while chasing 147.

They also have one of the best batting units in the league, with three of them featuring in the top ten run scorers this season. Leading the way is New Zealand International Finn Allen, who has scored a mammoth 430 runs at an average of 43.

Allen is doing this at a strike rate of 186, which is by far the best among the top scorers, with the next best being Sam Harper with 155. His impeccable power hitting is what sets him apart from the rest, this season he has already crossed the boundary line 37 times — almost twice as much as David Warner and Josh Brown, who have 20 each.

Aaron Hardie and Mitchell Marsh have chipped in with runs themselves, scoring 334 and 316 runs respectively. Nowhere near as destructive as the kiwi, but these two do keep the scoreboard ticking along and know when to accelerate depending on the situation.

Their bowling has been all over the place throughout the season, with the most consistent of them being Cooper Connolly. The all-rounder whose more known for his batting prowess has shone more with the bowl this season taking a total of 15 wickets at a brilliant average of 14 — which is the best among top wicket takers.

CREDIT:- Youtube

But all eyes will be on Mahli Beardman come Sunday. The 20-year-old had match figures of 3/20 against the Sixers in the qualifier, and it was his third wicket of the in-form Steve Smith, which pretty much nailed their spot in the finals. His other two wickets included the experienced duo of Josh Phillipe and Sixers captain Moises Henriques.

The Sixers don’t have to sell themselves short either, as they recovered from defeat on Tuesday by dispatching the reigning champions, Hobart Hurricanes, in the Challenger match to qualify for the final. Setting up a target of 199, they bowled out the Hurricanes at 141, achieving a 57-run victory.

They will look to Smith to carry them across the finish line. Since coming back to the team after Ashes duty concluded, he has been on a roll, scoring 275 runs in just 5 matches, that too at a strike rate of 166.

The highlight of which included a 42-ball century against city rivals Sydney Thunder. Even though he has only played five matches, he is the team's highest run scorer.

Wicket keeper Josh Phillipe, who scored 268 in 11 innings, is in second place, showing the team's missing spark in their batting contingent. In fact, they are the only team not have a player featured in the top 10 run scorers this season.

CREDIT: YouTube

Their bowling has been much better in comparison with Jack Edwards and Ben Dwarshuis, both featuring in the top 5 wicket takers. Edwards who has taken 18 wickets at an average of 17, while the experienced Dwarshuis has scalped 16 wickets with the same average and a slightly lower economy rate.

The return of Mitchell Starc has also been a welcome addition to the side with him getting his BBL career high match figures of 4/35 against the Brisbane Heat.

There is also the young Joel Davies, the spinner, who has been able to get 14 wickets at an astonishing average of just 12, and an economy rate of just 6. He was adjudged the Man of the Match against the Hurricanes yesterday for his performances with both bat and ball. He took the wickets of both Nikhil Chaudhary and Matthew Wade in back-to-back balls turned the game on its head. On top of that, his quickfire 27 off just 15 balls gave his team some breathing room to defend.

The Stage is set. There can only be one winner.

Let the games begin.

Thanks for reading my story.