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Perth Scorchers take on Sydney Sixers in the qualifier match of the 2021-22 Big Bash season.
The game is scheduled for 7.15pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Saturday, January 22, 2022.
The game will be held at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium.
While the sides are at the very top of the table, and are obviously in very good form, both have recently suffered a loss.
The Scorchers were dealt a blow in their penultimate group match, losing to Adelaide Strikers by six wickets after posting a modest total of 127 for 9. The Sixers fell short against the same opponents four days later, losing by eight wickets after failing to defend 161.
Both sides recovered to win their final group matches. The Scorchers chased down Brisbane Heat’s 155 in 18.4 overs as Mitchell Marsh starred with 59 runs from 34 deliveries.
Also against the Heat, the Sixers posted a healthy 178 for 6 - a total helped by contributions by each of the Sixers’ top six batters - before restricting their opponents to 151 for 8.
Perth Scorchers, however, have the edge in this encounter. Not only did they finish five points clear of the Sixers, they also won both of their group stage encounters, triumphing by 10 runs and five wickets, respectively.
Josh Philippe is Sydney Sixers' leading run-scorer [Matt Roberts/Getty Images]
Both sides have a number of batsmen that have been in scintillating form during BBL11.
For the Scorchers, Colin Munro is in the top ten highest run-scorers in the competition this season, having hit 377 runs at an average of 47.13. Just below him in the run tables, Australia star Mitchell Marsh has hit 314 runs at an incredible average of 78.50, and is striking at just under 150. What’s more, both Scorchers batters have hit unbeaten hundreds this season.
Sydney Sixers, meanwhile, have two batters in the hunt for the Golden Bat. Last season's player of the tournament, Josh Philippe, has amassed 424 runs at 35.33 this season while his Sixers captain, Moises Henriques, is not far behind with 403 runs. Both batters are striking in the 140s.
The Scorchers have just one bowler within the top ten wicket-takers, with AJ taking 20 wickets in 14 games. The Sixers, however, have Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott, on 22, 17 and 16 wickets, respectively.
Returning Test duo Jhye Richardson (Scorchers) and Nathan Lyon (Sixers) could have an impact with the ball.
The Sixers have the edge in the bowling department but T20 is a batters game. If one player decides to go big, expect their side to take the spoils on the night.
Gerard Abood and Shawn Craig will be the men in the middle for this match.
Very limited chance of rain, with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius at start of play.
Perth Scorchers: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Laurie Evans, Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Tymal Mills, Lance Morris, Colin Munro, Kurtis Patterson, Jhye Richardson (David Moody), Aston Turner, Andrew Tye
Sydney Sixers: Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird (Lawrence Neil-Smith), Daniel Christian, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Chris Jordan (first five matches), Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon (Nick Winter), Ben Manenti, Stephen O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Shadab Khan
Andrew Tye is Perth Scorchers' leading wicket-taker [Brett Hemmings/Getty Images]
Perth Scorchers: Kurtis Patterson, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Colin Munro, Ashton Turner, Laurie Evans, Ashton Agar, AJ Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou, Jhye Richardson
Sydney Sixers: Jack Edwards, Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques, Dan Christian, Justin Avendano, Sean Abbott, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe
Perth Scorchers are the side most fancy to take the spoils in this one, with their odds sitting at 8/11. Sydney Sixers are given odds of 11/10.
Given their top form throughout the season, the Scorchers should have enough to take this one.
Sky Sports have bought the rights for the competition through to 2025, and they will broadcast all 61 games in the UK.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia: subscription broadcaster Fox show every game, while free-to-air Seven will simulcast 45 matches.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball radio coverage of the tournament for UK listeners.
Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?
North America: Willow
MENA: beIN Sports
Sub Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Indian Subcontinent: Sony
New Zealand: Sky Sport
BIG BASH TEAM GUIDES (open in external window in app)
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