Big Bash 2022-23 match preview: Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash

What's the match?

Sydney Sixers take on Hobart Hurricanes in match 11 of the Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 7.15pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Thursday, December 22.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played in Sydney at the SCG.

Who's got the form?

Sydney Sixers are a side you don't expect to find at the bottom of the Big Bash table, but after two matches that's exactly where the men in magenta find themselves. Thanks to some lacklustre batting performances and (against Adelaide Strikers) expensive seam bowling, the three-time champions have started their BBL12 campaign with heavy defeats against the Strikers and Perth Scorchers.

Hobart Hurricanes also made a losing start to the season, suffering a 38-run defeat at the hands of Melbourne Stars. However, they bounced back three days later with an eight-run victory over Perth Scorchers. Matthew Wade (51 off 29) and Tim David (46 not out off 28) impressed with the bat before Paddy Dooley's 4 for 16 earned him hero status across Tasmania.

The two sides have faced off on 16 occasions, with Hobart Hurricanes winning nine of those meetings. They shared the spoils in 2021/22, with Sydney Sixers winning the first encounter by 14 runs and Hobart securing a 44-run victory later in the season.

^{Josh Philippe and his top-order teammates are struggling for runs [Paul Kane/Getty Images]}

What's the key match-up?

As mentioned, batting has been a surprise problem area for the Sixers. The usually reliable top-order trio of Josh Philippe, James Vince and Moises Henriques have scored 32, 9 and 24 runs, respectively, while new signing Kurtis Patterson has 12 runs to his name. Five powerplay wickets across two matches have not helped their cause either.

Indeed, only two players are showing any kind of form with the bat: Jordan Silk, who has scored a team-leading 77 runs at a strike rate of 135.08, and Hayden Kerr. The pair were the only players to reach double figures against the Scorchers.

Riley Meredith, who has picked up four wickets in two matches, and spinners Paddy Dooley (five wickets, 5.37 economy) and Shadab Khan (two wickets, 6.37 economy) will be licking their lips at the opportunity to have a crack at a wounded Sixers top order.

What's the weather forecast?

Cloudy conditions are set to give way to rain in the evening, which could derail this fixture.

What is the team news?

The Sixers have some tough decisions to make with their XI, starting with whether to reunite the previously successfully opening partnership of Philippe and Vince.

With the ball, Izharulhaq Naveed has been their brightest spark while Jackson Bird, Steve O'Keefe and Naveen-ul-Haq have also performed well. Could one of Kurtis Patterson or Sean Abbott make way to accommodate this quartet with the ball?

Wil Parker has replaced Billy Stanlake in Hobart's 14-man squad while Chris Tremain could make his debut for the club. However, having used the same XI in their opening two matches, they're unlikely to make any changes.

What are the squads?

Sydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Dan Christian, Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Izharulhaq Naveed, Chris Jordan, Steve O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Todd Murphy, Mickey Edwards, Jack Edwards, Steve Smith, Josh Kann (local replacement player), Naveen-ul-Haq (partial replacement for Chris Jordan)

Hobart Hurricanes: Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Shadab Khan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D'Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Billy Stanlake, Paddy Dooley, Chris Tremain, Mac Wright, Zak Crawley (overseas replacement for Shadab Khan), Jimmy Neesham (overseas replacement)

*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match

What are the possible starting XIs?

Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Moises Henriques, Kurtis Patterson, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Steve O'Keefe, Naveen-ul-Haq, Jackson Bird, Izharulhaq Naveed

Hobart Hurricanes: Ben McDermott, D'Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Shadab Khan, Tim David, Jimmy Neesham, Asif Ali, Joel Paris, Paddy Dooley, Riley Meredith

Paddy Dooley is a player to watch for Hobart Hurricanes [Steve Bell/Getty Images]

What are the odds?

Sydney Sixers are available at 11/10 while Hobart Hurricanes are at 4/5.

What's the prediction?

On current form, Hobart Hurricanes are the favourites but a star-studded Sydney Sixers outfit, on home soil, are always a threat. Sixers win (just).

Are tickets available?

Yes. Tickets are available on Ticketek, with general admission starting from $5.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.

Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.

Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia while coverage will also be available via streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.