Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the first game of the new BBL campaign
Hobart Hurricanes take on Sydney Sixers in the fourth game of the 2021-22 Big Bash season, the 11th BBL campaign in all.
The game is scheduled for a 6.35pm local time start. That's 7.35am GMT.
The game will be held at the University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston.
Sydney Sixers kicked off attempts to claim a third title in a row by condemning Melbourne Stars to their heaviest ever defeat in the men's Big Bash League.
Josh Philippe, James Vince and Moises Henriques did the damage with the bat as the reigning champions made 213 for 4 from their 20 overs.
It was a particularly damaging day for Sam Rainbird, who returned 1 for 59 from his 24 deliveries.
It was a pitiful reply from Stars, with just two of their batters reaching double figures as they were bundled out for just 61.
Steve O'Keefe took the new ball and claimed 4 for 14 including two in the opening over.
Sean Abbott claimed 3 for 14 and grabbed the wicket of Glenn Maxwell (4).
Tom Curran and Hayden Kerr then got in on the act to complete the route and give the Sixers all four points from their opening game.
Hobart Hurricanes are the penultimate side to start their campaign, with Perth Scorchers to follow against Brisbane Heat.
They missed out on last season's playoffs on net run-rate, finishing level on points with fifth-place Adelaide Strikers.
Little has changed from the last term, though there is no James Faulkner after his release. Jordan Thompson had been signed up for an overseas spell but having been identified as a close Covid contact he has been replaced by Tom Lammonby from Somerset.
There are other absentees too, with Riley Meredith, Scott Boland and Ben McDermott all missing for a variety of reasons.
The Sixers got their campaign off to the perfect start (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The Hurricanes will be without 43 wickets from last season in their opening game so there is plenty of onus on their highest wicket-taker from last term, Nathan Ellis, to hit form. His 20 scalps last term came at 22.30. It was a return good enough to force his way into Australia's T20 side before he was overlooked (selected as backup) for the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. With a home tournament on the horizon, this is the start of his attempts to force his way back in.
There may be no better way to impress than in the midst of Philippe, who like Ellis was involved during the middle of the year for Australia before missing out on the final cut. The wicketkeeper-opener was in top form in the tournament opener against the Stars, a continuation of his form at the start of the domestic season with Western Australian. He is currently No.159 in the men's T20 Player Index.
Michael Graham-Smith and Bruce Oxenford will be the standing umpires for this one.
Though cooling towards the early evening, temperatures are expected to be around 19 degrees Celsius with some cloud around too.
Hobart Hurricanes: Scott Boland, Harry Brook, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Peter Handscomb, Caleb Jewell, Josh Kann, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D’Arcy Short, Jordan Thompson (Tom Lammonby), Matthew Wade, Mac Wright
Sydney Sixers: Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Carlos Brathwaite, Dan Christian, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Jason Holder, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Steve O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc, James Vince, Jake Ball, Justin Avendano, Nick Bertus, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu
Hurricanes will have Matthew Wade for the duration of the BBL (Mike Owen/Getty Images)
Hobart Hurricanes: Matthew Wade, D’Arcy Short, Caleb Jewell, Tim David, Harry Brook, Peter Handscomb, Mac Wright, Johan Botha, Nathan Ellis, Sandeep Lamichhane, Joel Paris
Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Moises Henriques, Dan Christian, Tom Curran, Jordan Silk, Daniel Hughes, Sean Abbott, Hayden Kerr, Chris Jordan, Steve O'Keefe
Hobart Hurricanes can be backed at 13/10 to cause an upset in their opening game, but Sydney Sixers are the outstanding favourites at 4/6.
The Sixers shook off the ring rust in their opening game and already into their stride they should make short work of Hurricanes.
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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