Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers *, BBL T20 2021, Today Match Prediction 22 January 2022

prs vs sys Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the big Qualifier game in the Big Bash League 2021-22. Table-toppers Perth Scorchers would be taking on the Sydney Sixers. Both the sides come here with wins in their last league games. Incidentally, both played against the Brisbane Heat and registered comprehensive wins.  There would be an upbeat mood in both the camps going into this contest. 

The Perth Scorchers would enjoy a slight upper hand here having won both their league games against the Sydney Sixers. The Sixers have struggled with the form of their bowlers for most parts of the season, and this would be a major challenge for them. Given the stakes involved in the game, we expect to see a good contest here.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Perth Scorchers Preview

Ashton Turner has led the campaign well this season. They won 11 out of their 14 games to finish at the top of the points table by a distance. It was a comprehensive win for the side in their last league game against the Brisbane Heat which they won by 6 wickets. They had won both the games against Sydney Sixers earlier in the season Turner would like his players to draw inspiration from those wins and make it to the final with a good show here.  

Kurtis Patterson and Josh Inglis have played well, and the pair would have to set up a good opening wicket stand as the Sixers do have a good bowling attack. The middle-order has strengthened with the return of Mitchell Marsh and Colin Munro, and they come here with runs under their belt. The side would also bank on Ashton Turner, Aaron Hardie, and Ashton Agar to score quick runs towards the end as they have done for most parts of the season. 

Jason Behrendorff and Matthew Kelly would look to strike early for the side considering the strength the Sixers have at the top. Andrew Tye bowled poor lines in the last game and the side would expect a better show from him here. Agar was very good with his line and length and makes it a very strong bowling attack with Peter Hatzoglou and Mitchell Marsh. 

Perth Scorchers Predicted Playing XI:

Ashton Turner (c), Kurtis Patterson, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Colin Munro, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou, Matthew Kelly

Perth Scorchers Actual Playing XI:

Ashton Turner, Peter Hatzoglou, Jhye Richardson, Colin Munro, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Laurie Evans, Ashton Agar, Josh Inglis, Kurtis Patterson, Mitchell Marsh

Sydney Sixers * Preview

Moises Henriques’ side comes here with a 27-run win against the Brisbane Heat. It has been a good tournament for the defending champions, and they finished second on the points table. However, their losses against the Scorchers would be worrying the skipper. He would expect to see a good show from his bowlers as they haven’t been at their best in most games. 

Josh Phillippe has been among the top run-getters this season and he would like to set up a good opening wicket stand with Jack Edwards. Daniel Hughes, Daniel Christian, and Henriques have been in good form, and they make the middle order formidable for the team. The side would hope to see a good show in this game from Sean Abbott and Justin Avenando down the order in this crucial game. 

Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis must grab early wickets as the Scorchers' top order has destroyed bowling attacks in most games. Abbott will have to check his line after poor spells in the last few games. The entry of Nathan Lyon has strengthened bowling for the side, and he would aim to keep things under check in the middle overs. Steve O’Keefe and Hayden Kerr come here after a good show and shall aim to do well. 

Sydney Sixers * Predicted Playing XI:

Moises Henriques (c), Jack Edwards, Josh Philippe (wk), Daniel Christian, Daniel Hughes, Justin Avendano, Sean Abbott, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe

Sydney Sixers * Actual Playing XI:

Hayden Kerr, Nicholas Bertus, Josh Philippe, Steve O'Keefe, Ben Dwarshuis, Justin Avendano, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Sean Abbott, Nathan Lyon, DT Christian

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Weatherman predicts clear skies over Melbourne on January 22. We expect to see a flat surface where batsmen are likely to have a good time on this surface. Bowlers would find the conditions challenging in this game. The side batting first would need at least 170 runs on the board to win here.

Venue Details

Docklands Stadium, Melbourne is a good venue for this format of the game. We have seen high-scoring games here in the past. The ball comes onto the bat nicely and it allows batsmen to play their strokes easily. Fast bowlers do well with the new ball but spinners have struggled here in the past as the shorter boundaries makes it tough on them. 

Toss: To Bat

In the nine games played here this season, the side batting first has emerged winners in six games. The surface has been best for batting in the first innings and has slowed down as the game progresses making it hard to chase scores here. Hence, we expect the side winning the toss in this game to have no hesitation in batting first.