With Charlotte Edwards at the helm and a star-studded squad, Sydney Sixers start the season among the favourites to lift the title. MATTHEW LUDDINGTON takes a look at how they are shaping up going into WBBL09
Sydney Sixers are regular title contenders in the Women's Big Bash League, with two trophies from five appearances in the final and a squad brimming with international talent.
In 2022, they topped the regular season table, winning 11 of their 14 matches. Ash Gardner was crowned player of the tournament for her 339 runs and 23 wickets. Despite this, their dreams of clinching the title were shattered in the final after failing to recover from 16 for 4 - a rare top-order collapse.
This season, Sydney Sixers flaunt an array of star-studded names and firepower across their lineup. Although they will dearly miss the presence of Sophie Ecclestone, her overseas replacements, Chloe Tryon and Jess Kerr, are outstanding players in their own right. With the depth of quality in their squad, the Sixers start the season as favorites to lift the coveted trophy for a third time.
Coach: Charlotte Edwards
Captain: Ellyse Perry
How strong is the batting?
Their formidable top four features Suzie Bates, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, and Gardner, providing a clear picture of the Sixers' batting strength.
Last season, Bates accumulated 318 runs, with two half-centuries, while striking above 100. Her opening partner Healy remains a force to be reckoned with in women's T20 cricket, consistently providing explosive starts for the Sixers.
Perry comes in at No.3. One of the best batters in the world, she averaged 40.80 in WBBL08, scoring four half-centuries and striking at 119.64.
Gardner is one of the world's most destructive batters and last season, she smashed 339 runs (two half-centuries) at a strike rate of 150.6. She is particularly strong on the leg side, and her cameos can take the game away from opposition teams.
In the middle order, Australia international Erin Burns impressed last year, scoring 295 runs, including three fifties, at a strike rate of 145.3. The arrival of Tryon, meanwhile, adds an element of x-factor - she has maintained a strike rate above 135 across 91 T20Is for South Africa.
Lower down the order, Maitlan Brown and Jess Kerr can also swing a bat.
Alyssa Healy is at the heart of Sydney Sixers' stacked top order [Daniel Pockett/Getty Images]
How strong is the bowling?
Sydney Sixers have a versatile bowling lineup, with a mix of pace and spin options.
Left-armer Lauren Cheatle impressed last season with 16 wickets while in Perry, they have one of the most reliable bowlers in the world. She has taken 51 wickets in her WBBL career to date - had she not struggled with injury in recent years, that total would be a lot higher.
In WBBL08, Gardner's off-spin proved a valuable weapon in the powerplay and middle phase. She took a team-leading 23 wickets. Ecclestone's spin will be missed, but the experienced left-armer Tryon is a handy replacement.
Kate Peterson, a 20-year-old medium pace bowler who generates significant swing, took 11 wickets last year at an impressive average of just 13.9 while new signing Kerr is an intelligent and economical medium pace bowler.
Why should the fans be excited?
The Sixers are probably the best team in the competition, and boast some of the world's best players. Their top order is an absolute powerhouse, including three of Australia's top five. Furthermore, the middle order is robust, ensuring the Sixers possess both depth and strength in their batting lineup. Last year they were the only team to pass 180 twice, and this season fans should expect more big scores again.
The mere sight of Perry bowling is worth the price of admission alone, and her partnership with Cheatle promises excitement on the field. Gardner is a world-class spinner while Peterson is a future star in the making.
The team will be spurred on by the disappointment of losing last year's final, and it would be no surprise if they get their hands on the trophy this year.
Ash Gardner was named player of the tournament in WBBL08 [Mark Evans/Getty Images]
Why should the fans be worried?
Sydney Sixers have perhaps been guilty of underperforming at times.
The team's ability to handle intense pressure was brought into question last year when their top order collapsed in the final. Is it a case of too many cooks?
Losing Ecclestone's wickets (and lower order boundaries) also leaves a hole in the side and while Tryon is a far superior batter, asking her to match the England international's haul of 20 wickets is unrealistic.
However, it should be acknowledged that whatever the challenges, with Charlotte Edwards at the helm - a coach with four trophies already in 2023 - it would be foolish to ever write off Sydney Sixers.
Squad: Jade Allen, Suzie Bates, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Emma Hughes, Kate Peterson, Ellyse Perry, Chloe Tryon, Jess Kerr, Linsey Smith
Fixtures: October 19 – Melbourne Stars (h, 7.40pm), October 22 – Sydney Thunder (a, 5.25pm), October 24 – Brisbane Heat (h, 6.10pm), October 28 - Melbourne Renegades (a, 12pm), October 31 – Perth Scorchers (a, 8.10pm), November 3 - Adelaide Strikers (a, 5.10pm), November 5 – Melbourne Renegades (h, 1.40pm), November 8 – Melbourne Stars (a, 3pm), November 10 – Hobart Hurricanes (h, 7.10pm), November 13 - Hobart Hurricanes (a, 6.10pm), November 16 – Perth Scorchers (h, 3.30pm), November 18 – Adelaide Strikers (h, 7.10pm), November 21 – Brisbane Heat (a, 7.10pm), November 26 - Sydney Thunder (h, 1.40pm)
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