Sydney Sixers ready for BBL revenge against Perth Scorchers

Batsman Justin Avendano has revealed the secret weapon the Sydney Sixers have used in preparation for Perth Scorchers.

Sydney Sixers batsman Justin Avendano. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Some friendly money games on the golf course have been a welcome distraction for the Sydney Sixers ahead of their grudge match against Perth Scorchers in Canberra on Saturday night.

The last time the Big Bash League ladder leaders faced off against the Scorchers, they were smashed by 86 runs in Perth when all-rounder Mitchell Marsh made a stunning 27-ball 57.

The two sides are set to meet again at Canberra’s Manuka Oval and several Sixers teammates hit the fairways of Royal Canberra Golf Club on Thursday in a bid to relax before the big game.

One notable absentee at the golf course was batsman Justin Avendano.

He is talented with both a bat and a club in hand but has been battered into a hiatus from golf by teammate Dan Christian.

Sydney Sixers all-rounder Dan Christian. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“DC has taken all my money. I’ve have had to stop playing because I owe him about four dinners,” Avendano said with a laugh.

“I’ve lost too many games and I’m probably a bit lighter in the pocket as well, so the clubs have gone back into the bag for the moment.

“I think a few of the boys played Royal Canberra yesterday and they had a ball so I might have to come back out and rejoin them.”

The 27-year-old Avendano said the Sixers were licking their wounds immediately after the Scorchers gave them a wake-up call in Perth.

“I’m not sure what we learned because we got absolutely belted,” Avendano said.

“Afterward, coach (Greg Shipperd) said, ‘Let‘s put that in the bin every year a team has one of those performances.’

“No excuses, they were just too good for us. Hopefully at our new home ground at Manuka Oval we can show have changed a little bit and we‘re not going to have the same result.”

Perth Scorchers defeated Sydney Sixers by 86 runs the last time they met, in Perth. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Avendano admitted the Sixers would have their work cut out handling the Scorchers‘ bowling line-up, led by pace trio Jhye Richardson, AJ Tye, and Jason Behrendorff along with spinner Fawad Ahmed.

“They have a really good attack; most of them if, not all of them, have played for Australia and then you've got Fawad as well, a very handy leg spinner.

“It’s going to be a tough battle for the batsmen.”

But Avendano backed his own bowlers, including star spinner Steve O’Keefe.

“They have the same problem with our bowlers; they're going to be under a lot of pressure because we‘ve got a lot of good (bowlers) they're in red-hot form so it’s going to be tough battle,” he said.

Perth will be without Marsh, who is sidelined with a side strain.