Sixers pack weapon for road trip

HE’S still not allowed to play, and he wouldn’t be able to anyway because his arm is in a sling after recent elbow surgery, but Steve Smith is lurking as the Sydney Sixers’ secret weapon ahead of tomorrow night’s Big Bash semi-final against Melbourne Renegades.

The ex-Aussie captain has been doing everything he can to help the Sixers refocus after their loss to the Stars on Sunday, even wearing the team’s colours to net sessions.

“Absolutely he’s a Sixers man, he’s got his pink shorts on,” fast bowler Sean Abbott said. “He’s a wonderful guy and he’s been around at a couple of sessions and he’s always there to bounce a few ideas off or to have a laugh with.

“He’s quite a positive influence on the group. He loves talking about cricket and he’ll do it as long as anyone there’s to ask him questions.”

Smith’s words of wisdom couldn’t come at a better time for the Sixers after they blew their chance of hosting the semi-final when they were bowled out for 74 by the Stars.

Instead of playing the Renegades at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Sixers will have to travel to Marvel Stadium but are buoyed by the fact they won there during the season.

“As a bowling group, we defended quite a low total down there and we’re still the best in the league in batting (for) ones and two,” Abbott said.

“It’s actually quite a tough pitch to go out there and get started on so I think that suits our batting unit and suits our bowling attack as well.”

The Sixers are without Tom Curran, who is in the West Indies with the England squad.