Defending Champions Sydney Sixers will kick off the Big Bash League 2020-21 season as they take on Hobart Hurricanes, who finished fourth last time, in the opening fixture at Hobart on Thursday.
Like most teams, there have been quite some changes in both of these squads but they have still managed to assemble strong sides on paper.
Overall Squads
Hobart Hurricanes: Scott Boland, Johan Botha, Tim David, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Colin Ingram (SA), Will Jacks (ENG), Caleb Jewell, Sandeep Lamichhane (NEP), Dawid Malan (ENG), Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, David Moody, Mitch Owen, Tim Paine, Wil Parker, Keemo Paul (WI), D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade (c), Charlie Wakim, Nick Winter, Mac Wright
Sydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Justin Avendano, Nick Bertus, Jackson Bird, Carlos Brathwaite (WI), Dan Christian, Tom Curran (ENG), Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Moises Henriques (c), Jason Holder (WI), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Stephen O’Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu*, Jordan Silk, Mitchell Starc, James Vince (ENG)
Team News and Player Availability
Hobart Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have lost quite a few crucial players to other teams this season. Even George Bailey, one of their most dependable batsmen over the years, has retired from the format. But they have bolstered their squad with some really good overseas signings in Will Jacks (ENG), Dawid Malan (ENG), Sandeep Lamichhane (NEP), Colin Ingram (SA), and Keemo Paul (WI). That brings plenty of batting and bowling firepower to the team. Apart from them, Peter Handscomb has arrived from the Melbourne Stars whereas Johan Botha has come out of retirement to play for them as well. Moreover, the ever-reliable D’Arcy Short will be playing for them once again.
As far as availability of the players goes, due to international commitments and quarantine rules, Matthew Wade and Tim Paine will mostly come into the squad towards the back end of the tournament. Three of their overseas imports in Dawid Malan, Keemo Paul, and Sandeep Lamichhane are also expected to miss the initial few games and will only be available in mid-December. However, Colin Ingram and Will Jacks have no commitments as of now and should be available right from the beginning.
New recruit Pete Handscomb will captain the Hurricanes for the initial phase of BBL|10 whilst @MatthewWade13 is on Australian duties
MORE: https://t.co/DtDkkh04lV#TasmaniasTeam #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/II1HNxbIwN
— Hobart Hurricanes BBL (@HurricanesBBL) December 9, 2020
Sydney Sixers
The Sixers will be missing Tom Curran this season. The England all-rounder played a crucial role in their title win last season but has pulled out of this edition as he wants time out of the Bio-bubble. But they have made some really good additions in Daniel Christian from the Renegades and Gurinder Sandhu from Sydney Thunder. West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite is back for another stint as well whereas Jason Holder has also signed up for a three-game stint. The core of the team, otherwise, has been kept pretty much intact with all of Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, James Vince, and Daniel Hughes playing once again.
Talking about the availability of the Sixers’ players, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon will be on Test duty for Australia and hence, are expected to be available only towards the backend. Abbott, though, might become available earlier if Australia feel they don’t require his services. Holder will be available for three games only on December 20, 26, and 29. James Vince and Carlos Brathwaite are expected to be available for the entire season.
Probable Playing XIs
Hobart Hurricanes
Will Jacks, D’Arcy Short, Ben McDermott, Peter Handscomb, Colin Ingram, Mac Wright, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Johan Botha, Scott Boland, Riley Meredith
Sydney Sixers
Josh Philippe, James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Justin Avendano, Dan Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Steve O’Keefe, Ben Dwarshuis, Gurinder Sandhu, Lloyd Pope
Key Players
Hobart Hurricanes
D’Arcy Short: His role is going to be of utmost importance for the Hurricanes considering that they will miss key players like Wade, Malan, and Paul for the large portion of the season. Short already has two BBL centuries to his name and nobody has scored more runs than him in this competition since 2016.
Originally from Katherine, @ShortDarcy is back in the Northern Territory, and proudly displaying the indigenous shirt the @hurricanesBBL will wear at Traeger Park this afternoon #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/1BnjRrrgJJ
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2019
James Faulkner: He was a major performer with both bat and ball last season for the Hurricanes until he got injured. The Hurricanes will depend on him to pick up wickets both with the new ball and at the death. And his ability to contribute with the bat down the order adds further value to the team.
Sydney Sixers
Josh Philippe: The youngster finished as the third-highest run-getter last season with 487 runs to his name and it included five fifties as well. Philippe is an explosive top-order batsman who is not afraid to take on the bowlers.
Ben Dwarshuis: The left-arm seamer picked up a total of 16 wickets for the Sixers last season. His job is to pick up wickets with the new ball but he can tonk a few big ones with the bat as well, if his services are required.