Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
He was born and bred in the heart of Sydney and now star batter Kurtis Patterson has confirmed he is coming home to the Harbour City for KFC BBL|12, after signing a three-year deal with the Sixers.
The NSW Blues captain, who has played two Tests for Australia and averages 144 at that level, had a breakout BBL campaign last summer on the way to a title with the Perth Scorchers and is one of the Sixers’ biggest ever domestic signings.
The 29-year-old batted in the top order for the Scorchers last season and adds depth to a Sixers batting lineup that already includes superstar Josh Philippe, skipper Moises Henriques and veterans Dan Hughes, Dan Christian and Jordan Silk.
Another top order mainstay for the Sixers in recent years, English international James Vince, last week declared himself available in the BBL Overseas Player Draft that will take place in Melbourne and can be seen live of Fox Cricket and Kayo on August 28.
Patterson played one game for the Sixers in BBL|02, scoring four runs off the only two balls he faced before spending the next five BBL seasons across town at Sydney Thunder. During that time, he played just 26 matches as his red ball career overshadowed his T20 form.
The tall left-hander moved to the Perth for BBL|09 looking for a fresh start and after managing just three appearances that summer and one the next, Patterson produced a stellar season for the Scorchers in BBL|11, playing in 14 matches, scoring 391 runs at an average of more than 30 and a strike rate of 142.
His season was highlighted by a player of the match 78 from 48 balls against the Hobart Hurricanes in December, a crucial 64 from 41 rocks against the Sixers in the Qualifier final and then a pair of catches as the Scorchers defeated the Sixers again in the Final to take the title.
Patterson said the lure of more time at home and the chance to play in front of the Sixers’ faithful at the SCG and North Sydney Oval was too good to refuse.
“It kind of feels like I am coming home to be honest,” Patterson said.
“Not a lot of people actually know, but I actually played one game for the Sixers back in BBL|02, scored four off two coming in at six in the last couple of overs of the game.
“It’s just another good opportunity for me to join another really strong club.
“I feel really lucky obviously, coming from Perth and going to the Sixers, who are arguably the two most successful BBL clubs in its history.
“I’m really excited to have Christmas at home and to be able to play cricket with guys that I play all year round with (at NSW).”
Patterson said the party atmosphere at the SCG was hard to beat.
“Like a lot of crowds, they’re quite vocal but I always feel like, for whatever reason, I’ve always got a bit more love playing at the SCG – probably because I’m a New South Welshman – compared to a lot of other grounds,” he said.
“I didn’t play the BBL|10 final (in the 11), I was 12th man for Perth, (but) that atmosphere at the SCG was one of the best I’ve seen in any live sporting event and so I am really hoping that same passion is brought by the fans and I’m excited to be wearing a magenta shirt this year.”
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 | 7:15pmWed 4 Jan | Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat | North Sydney Oval | 6:05pm
Fri 6 Jan | Melbourne Stars v Sydney Sixers | MCG | 6:30pm
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 Squad
Head Coach: Greg Shipperd
Assistant Coaches: Cameron White, Andre Adams
Contracted for BBL|12: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Stephen O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Jordan Silk
