GUNS LOCKED
7.15PM AEDST, SATURDAY, MANUKA OVAL
TAB ODDS
Sixers $2 ($2.60 for title) Scorchers $1.80 ($2.40 for title)
WEATHER
Shower or two, chance of a thunderstorm. Min 14C, Max 29C.
ROAD TO GLORY
Loser receives second chance and will host The Challenger on February 4 for a second shot at making the grand final
Winner will host the grand final on February 6
Scorchers will host either The Challenger or the grand final at Perth Stadium; Sixers will host their second final at Manuka Oval or the SCG
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Scorchers defeated Sixers by 86 runs at Perth Stadium on January 6
Sixers defeated Scorchers by seven wickets at Manuka Oval on January 16
GIVEN THE FLIP
Josh Philippe walked out on the Scorchers in 2018 because he was stuck behind glovemen Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis and Sam Whiteman. Now Bancroft can’t get a game and “Flip” is the tournament’s most stylish batsman, plundering 454 runs (ranked No 2) and taking 14/14 catches.
KING OF THE DOTS
Jhye Richardson (27 wickets) will be Aaron Finch’s strike weapon on next month’s tour of New Zealand. His 145 dot balls ranks No 1 in the BBL. Scorchers are the No 1 bowling team in the powerplay (7.1 economy rate) and power-surge (9.2), largely thanks to the deceptively quick bowler. Perth’s 18 wickets in the powerplay are also the most.
DR CLUTCH
Dan Christian is called “DC”, but that could stand for Dr Clutch. Christian’s strike-rate of 186.7 is bettered by only Daniel Sams (191.3) for batmen who have faced at least 100 balls. Christian is targeting his third Big Bash title after powering Brisbane Heat (BBL02) and Melbourne Renegades (BBL08) to glory. Christian, 37, is arguably world cricket’s most successful T20 gun-forhire, winning eight championships from 12 domestic finals. A better chaser than lemon after tequila.
WATCH FOR
Ricky Ponting is frustrated at Perth coach Adam Voges’ use of Josh Inglis. The sharp gloveman opened last season but has shuffled down below imports Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone and Colin Munro for much of the summer. Ponting claims that is not in the best interests of Australian cricket, although Scorchers reckon Inglis is such a sweet player of spin – as well as the new ball – that it works.
THE X-FACTOR
Mitchell Starc is a chance to power up an attack that bled 597 runs in its past three games. Scorchers all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (side strain) has been declared unfit to bowl, although he showed on January 26 that clearing the rope wouldn’t be a problem.
SAM LANDSBERGER’S TIP – SIXERS
Jordan Silk has added power to poise, with his balance and ability to hit to both sides of the wicket taking attacks by surprise. Mike Hussey rates Moises Henriques as the standout skipper and he will lead Sydney into another home BBL final.
Sixers allrounder Dan Christian is in vintage touch. Picture: GETTY IMAGES