Big Bash 2021-22 match preview: Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes

Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the eighth game of BBL11

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What’s the match?

Sydney Sixers take on Hobart Hurricanes in the eighth game of the 2021-22 Big Bash.

When is it taking place?

The game is set for Saturday, December 11. The first ball will be bowled at 5.35pm local time (7.35am GMT).

Where is the match being played?

The game will be held at the SCG in Sydney.

Who's got the form?

Defending champions Sydney Sixers have started this season exactly where they left off in BBL10 with back-to-back wins against Melbourne Stars and the Hurricanes. Against the Stars, the Sixers were truly dominant, smashing 213 runs from their 20 overs before bowling Glenn Maxwell's side out for 61 in 11.1 overs to record the biggest victory in Big Bash history. They faced a sterner test against the Hurricanes on Wednesday but successfully defended 144 in Launceston thanks to some solid death bowling from Steve O'Keefe, Chris Jordan and Tom Curran. Individually, captain Moises Henriques has enjoyed an electric start to the tournament, scoring two half-centuries to race into a 61-run lead in the golden bat standings.

Wednesday's clash in Tasmania was the Hurricanes' first match of BBL11 and after finding themselves needing 38 runs from the final 24 balls, they will feel disappointed not to have collected more than a bonus point from their tournament opener. That said, with Henriques and Curran the only two members of Sydney's free-scoring XI to pass 20 runs in the match and a bright 47 (31 balls) from Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade's side will head into Saturday's rematch with confidence.

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 Moises Henriques [Steve Ball/Getty Images]

What's the key match-up?

Hobart Hurricanes had the measure of Sydney Sixers during the opening six overs on Wednesday, with Nathan Ellis, Tim David and Tom Rogers (twice) all striking during that period to reduce the three-time champions to 26 for 4. However, at the SCG against the Stars, Josh Philippe and James Vince - who fell for five and 13, respectively, on Wednesday - had no such issues. Philippe scored 83 off 47 balls while Vince played a supporting 44 off 29. The question is can the Hurricanes bowlers recreate their destructive opening spell at fortress SCG?

However, the bigger question for the Hurricanes is where the runs are going to come from. Aside from Handscomb's 31-ball 47 and a 20-run (11 balls) cameo from Caleb Jewell, no one in purple scored at a strike rate higher than 120 when the sides met in Launceston - opener D'Arcy Short was particularly slow, scoring 21 runs from 36 balls. And with death bowlers of the calibre of Chris Jordan and Tom Curran at Sydney's disposal, getting runs on the board early will be crucial to Hobart's chances - no mean feat against O'Keefe and co.

Who are the umpires?

Michael Graham-Smith and Bruce Oxenford will be making the decisions for this one.

What's the weather forecast?

Overcast conditions are forecast for Sydney with temperatures peaking around 20 degrees Celsius.

What are the squads?

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

Hobart Hurricanes: Scott Boland, Harry Brook (Jordan Cox), Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Peter Handscomb, Caleb Jewell, Josh Kann, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, Tom Rogers, D’Arcy Short, Jordan Thompson (Tom Lammonby), Matthew Wade, Mac Wright

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 Peter Handscomb [Steve Bell/Getty Images]

What are the possible starting XIs?

Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Tom Curran, Hayden Kerr, Chris Jordan, Ben Manenti, Steve O'Keefe

Hobart Hurricanes: Matthew Wade, D'Arcy Short, Peter Handscomb, Caleb Jewell, Tom Lammonby, Tim David, Jordan Cox, Nathan Ellis, Tom Rogers, Joel Paris, Sandeep Lamichhane

What are the odds?

Sydney Sixers are the favourites for this match, with Oddschecker offering odds of 4/6. Hobart Hurricanes are available at 26/19.

What’s the prediction?

Sydney Sixers are the complete package - dominant with bat and ball against the Stars at the SCG, calm under pressure in a tight game against the Hurricanes - and should notch up their third win of the season on Saturday.

Where can I watch the game?

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)

Adelaide Strikers

Brisbane Heat

Hobart Hurricanes

Melbourne Renegades

Melbourne Stars

Perth Scorchers

Sydney Sixers

Sydney Thunder

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