Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
Sydney Sixers will kick off this summer’s KFC Big Bash League campaign on the road with its first two matches of the season scheduled for Adelaide and then Perth.
However, the men in magenta will have a commanding presence in their city throughout the summer and the school holidays with a total of six home games – plus the ‘away’ derby match against the Thunder at Sydney Showground Stadium.
The Sixers open their account at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Hobart on December 22 before hosting two matches in the competition’s ‘prime time’ – the break between Christmas and the New Year.
The Greg Shipperd-coached Sixers will play the Melbourne Stars in front of their home crowd on Boxing Day, and two days later will host the Melbourne Renegades.
Combined with the BBL’s draft – which is designed to attract the world’s most exciting players to the competition – and a season which is 10 days shorter than last summer, it’s expected families and fans will flock to games.
Sydney Sixers will then break new ground by staging its January 4 match against Brisbane Heat at historic North Sydney Oval. The fixture will follow the first day of the iconic Pink Test across the Harbour Bridge at the SCG.
The iconic ground – which is the Club’s WBBL team home ground – is tailor-made for the adrenaline-fueled big hits that have made the BBL a thrilling contest.
The Sixers will also return to Coffs Harbour – its home on the state’s north coast – where they’ll play the Adelaide Strikers on January 17.
Sixers batter Daniel Hughes implored Sixers fans to rally behind the team as they vie for a third title in four seasons.
“Just get around us,” Hughes said.
“We’re going to get a few games in the school holidays so it’s the perfect time to get out there and support us.”
“Whenever we can get back to the SCG and play in front of a packed house or even when we play away in our regional areas, it’s [fan attendance] huge for us. We love our fans.
“Playing at North Sydney is very exciting, that will be an exciting game. Obviously, it’s [the ground] a little bit smaller than what we’re used to so there should be plenty of balls flying over the fence.
“And every time we play at Coffs Harbour the place is sold out so it’s always an electric atmosphere, the guys love it and it’s always a good game up there.”
Crowning the season will be the annual Sydney Smash against arch rivals, the Thunder. While the first leg will be played at Sydney Showground Stadium on January 8, the SCG will stage the return clash on January 21.
The Sixers play their final match of the regular season on January 23 against Hobart at Blundstone Arena.
Seven will televise 45 KFC BBL matches – including all Finals – of this summer’s 61 games. Each game will once again be available on Foxtel and Kayo, while additional coverage will be provided by SEN.
Sydney Sixers BBL|12 Fixtures (All AEDT Start Times)
Wed 14 Dec | Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Sixers | Adelaide Oval | 7:15pm
Sat 17 Dec | Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers | Optus Stadium | 7:05pm
Thu 22 Dec | Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes | SCG | 7:15pm
Mon 26 Dec | Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars | SCG | 6:05pm
Wed 28 Dec | Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades | SCG | 7:15pm
Fri 30 Dec | Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Sixers | GMHBA Stadium | 6:30pm
Sun 1 Jan | Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers | Gabba | 7:15pm
Wed 4 Jan | Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat | North Sydney Oval | 6:05pm
Fri 6 Jan | Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers | MCG | 6:05pm
Sun 8 Jan | Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7:15pm
Sun 15 Jan | Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers | SCG | 7:15pm
Tue 17 Jan | Sydney Sixers v Adelaide Strikers | C.ex Coffs Int. Stadium | 7:15pm
Sat 21 Jan | Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder | SCG | 7:05pm
Mon 23 Jan | Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers | Blundstone Arena | 7:15pm
Sydney Sixers BBL|12 Squad
Head Coach: Greg Shipperd
Contracted for BBL|12: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Jordan Silk
For the first time in the Club’s history, the Sixers will play a @BBL fixture at historic North Sydney Oval 🙌#BBL12 https://t.co/h2i58mGJ8F
