Sixers, Thunder to go head-to-head in WBBL Sydney Derby at SCG
Aussie cricket superstars Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield will be keen to put on a show as the Sixers and Thunder meet on a bumper weekend for Sydney events. SEE WHAT’S ON
NSW
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Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Alyssa Healy and Sophie Ecclestone versus Phoebe Litchfield, Chamari Athapaththu and Heather Knight.
It’s fitting that this tantalising match-up between some of the world’s best players will be staged on one of the world’s best cricket grounds, the SCG, when cross-town rivals the Sixers and Thunder go head-to-head at 1.40pm on November 10.
Sixers middle-order batter Mathilda Carmichael expects it to be a high-quality contest with a family-friendly atmosphere. She hopes to see plenty of magenta – and lime green, too – in the stands.
“You’ve got those huge names that everyone knows, but also the domestic players (whose) skill level over 10 WBBLs has just increased astronomically,” she said.
“There’s always going to be (the chance to discover) the next Ellyse Perry – (15-year-old) Caoimhe Bray announced herself recently.
“There isn’t much love lost between the Thunder and the Sixers, so we always look forward to that match up.
“And any opportunity to enjoy an event at the Sydney Cricket Ground is pretty awesome. We as players are certainly looking forward to it – it’s an iconic venue.”
Carmichael said her side would be extra motivated to get the job done in a shortened season where every match was crucial, having narrowly missed finals last year by finishing fifth.
“Last year we started slow and we came good at the back end, but sadly, we didn’t come good quick enough,” said the 30-year-old, playing her second season with the Sixers after a stint with the Perth Scorchers.
“We hit the ground running with our first match (of WBBL|10) in Adelaide with a win (over the Renegades). And it’s going to be crucial that we keep winning as we probably won’t have time to catch up at the back end.
“We want to achieve finals and go as far as we can.”
The Sixers have the personnel to go all the way. In addition to Aussie stars Perry, Gardner and Healy, and the world’s No. 1 T20I bowler Ecclestone, their stacked squad includes WBBL veteran Erin Burns, young guns Maitlan Brown and Courtney Sippel and emerging Scottish star Sarah Bryce.
Sydney also recruited 2024 T20 World Cup player of the tournament Amelia Kerr this year, but her season is in doubt due to a quadricep tear.
Bryce and her sister, Hurricanes recruit Kathryn, are the first Scottish women to play in the WBBL. The 24-year-old has impressed Sixers fans with important knocks of 62 and 36no in her first two matches.
“The more countries across the world that have a presence in the WBBL is not only great for the competition, it’s great for world cricket,” Carmichael said.
Aussie DJs Kinder – aka sisters Savannah and Briony Osei – will perform at the Sydney derby, a Stadium Series blockbuster, which will follow a Hurricanes-Scorchers match at 10.10am as part of a double-header.
The Sydney Sixers will take on Sydney Thunder at the SGC, 1.40pm on November 10. Tickets available from $20 for adults, $15 for concession via Ticketek. Admission free for children aged 15 and under.
Other events in Sydney
Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia
The spectacular Luzia, under the big top at the Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park kicks off its Sydney tour on November 24. Described as “a waking dream of Mexico”, the show is the most ambitious performance Cirque du Soleil has ever put on, notably incorporating onstage rain in a first for the company.
A-League Women: Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs. Adelaide United
The Western Sydney Wanderers will be hoping to score some early-season points in their round two clash with last season’s wooden spooners, Adelaide United, at Wanderers Football Park in Rooty Hill at 3pm on November 10. And at 6pm that evening, the Sydney FC men’s side will take on Macarthur FC at Allianz Stadium in a round four match-up.
Cold Chisel tour
Jimmy Barnes, Don Walker, Ian Moss, Phil Small and Charley Drayton are back for the The Big Five-0 Tour, to mark the beloved Aussie band’s 50th anniversary tour. Chisel will play two shows at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, on November 16 and December 4, supported by The Cruel Sea, fronted by Tex Perkins.
qudosbankarena.com.au/event/cold-chisel
Black and white delight
UK artist Isaac Julien’s latest work, 2022 five-screen black-and-white installation film Once Again … (Statues Never Die), is a mesmerising and immersive exploration of the relationship and correspondence between art collector Albert C. Barnes (1872–1951) and prominent philosopher, educator and cultural leader Alain Locke (1885–1954). It’s showing at the Museum of Contemporary Art until February 16.
René Magritte retrospective
The Art Gallery of NSW is showcasing Australia’s first retrospective of the surrealist Belgian artist until February 9. Magritte’s paintings of clouds, hats, pipes and apples are among the most recognisable images of surrealism. Renowned for his deadpan, realist style, the artist depicted ordinary objects and everyday settings, revealing them to be more mysterious and enchanting than we could ever have imagined.
artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/magritte
SIX – The Musical
This pop musical that sees the feisty wives of Henry VIII rewrite 500 years of history returns to Theatre Royal Sydney until December 28. Running for just 80 minutes with no interval, SIX is a high-octane phenomenon.
NBL: Sydney Kings vs. SE Melbourne Phoenix
Brian Goorjian’s side will take on cellar dwellers the SE Melbourne Phoenix at Qudos Bank Arena from 7.30pm on November 8. Kings fans will be hoping Xavier Cooks can continue his stellar form for this important contest.
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Be mesmerised as Simone Young conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Mozart’s Jupiter – the composer’s 41st and final symphony, which has becoming one of his most enduring works. See it at the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House on November 8 and November 9.
Oscar by The Australian Ballet
See The Australian Ballet perform this instant masterpiece by Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon at the Joan Sutherland until November 23. The powerful exploration of the life and writings of Oscar Wilde fuses the literary legend’s wit with awe-inspiring ballet.
australianballet.com.au/performances/oscar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Starring Michael Paynter as Jesus, Javon King as Judas, Mahalia Barnes as Mary and Reuben Kaye as Herod, this new production of Jesus Christ Superstar is showing at Capitol Theatre in Haymarket until January 19. The beloved musical features lyrics and music by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Massive change coming to your cigarettes
Manufacturers have until April 2025 to give cigarettes a new look, in order for them to be sold in Australia. However, insiders believe the move will only push smokers to black market tobacco.
Anthony Albanese: Let’s embrace Bradfield’s vision and unite Sydney
Sydney’s greatest debt of gratitude is to John Bradfield, who left behind a legacy that continues to shape the city to this day and we’re reminded of with every Bradfield Oration, Anthony Albanese writes.