Geelong last chance saloon for struggling Sydney
SYDNEY Sixers wicketkeeper Peter Nevill doesn’t need reminding that tonight’s BBL clash against Melbourne Renegades could seal his team’s fate this season.
The Sixers sit 0-4 on the bottom of the BBL ladder and another loss would be the final nail in their coffin at the halfway point of the competition.
But Nevill says the nature of T20 cricket means it would only take a slight change in momentum to turn things around for Sydney, and with fi- nals still a possibility should they salute tonight, believes anything is possible.
“It all revolves around Wednesday night for us, really,” Nevill said.
“We obviously must win pretty much all of our games for the rest of the season to be able to make the finals so it is a very crucial game for us.
“All four games have been quite narrow losses, so it’s a lit- tle bit frustrating in that respect.
“Hopefully we can start winning some of those tight moments and some of those key moments and have a narrow victory instead of a narrow loss.”
Nevill was among a group of Sydney players that found form with the bat on Monday night against the Perth Scorchers, hitting 33 after moving to the top of the order.
He said there were encouraging signs in the six-wicket loss, but acknowledged the Renegades would be no pushovers at GMHBA Stadium.
“I think we certainly improved a bit on the first couple of games and Jordan Silk has been fantastic playing that role at number four,” Nevill said.
“It was a good total but unfortunately Michael Klinger was the difference, as he has been so many times throughout his Big Bash career.
“They (the Renegades) have such a strong batting line up so it is going to be vital to be taking a lot of wickets, that is really going to be the key to keeping them from chasing whatever we put together or to make sure we’re chasing as small a total as possible.
“They have recruited really well and have got a fantastic team this season.”
The Sixers will be without spin bowler Steve O’Keefe, who Nevill said would also be missed down the batting order, where he had been averaging 23.3 before suffering a lower leg injury in the loss to Perth.