Sydney Sixers’ top four have second worst average in BBL
The BBL season has only just started but already the Sydney Sixers’ top order is under extreme pressure to deliver after several flops.
It’s the one big hole every team in the Big Bash never wants to be in but the Sydney Sixers have dug themselves in so deep they’re in danger of being buried if they don’t find a way out soon.
The Sixers’ top order has struggled to score big or build some decent partnerships in the first three matches this season and they need to find a remedy straight away or risk slipping further away.
The Sixers' top four batsmen are averaging just 15.63 so far this season and have lost seven wickets during the crucial first six overs when the field is in close, costing them vital runs.
Their run rate during that all important powerplay is a miserable 6.36, the second worst in the competition this season.
MORE CRICKET NEWS
‘REAL SHAME’: Test greats turn on Smith and Bancroft
CHANGES: Desperate big to fix MCG’s Boxing Day snoozefest
And their current overall run rate of 7.36 runs per over is only marginally better than their lowest of 7.13 set in BBL02.
The Sixers did manage to win their opening game against the Perth Scorchers after Jordan Silk and Dan Hughes salvaged the innings with a 124-run partnership for the fourth wicket but they’ve lost their last two matches after the middle order was unable to pull off another rescue.
“It’s certainly the key to setting up big totals but we all know that as a batting group,” Silk said.
“So that’s one thing we’ll be looking to rectify when we get on the road.”
MORE CRICKET NEWS
SPICY: Mitch Johnson can’t stop trolling India
‘COULD’VE BEEN KILLED’: Aussie great lashes Perth deck
The Renegades are one of just three undefeated teams this season after winning their two previous matches but if there’s one good omen for the Sixers, it’s that the Renegades’ top four is in an even bigger mess, averaging a tournament low 14.62.
“It’d be really nice to win that first one on the road, that would give us a lot of confidence while travelling,” Silk said.
“The Renegades pulled off a pretty good win last start so they’ll be full of confidence and it’s going to be a really tough ask for us.
“I guess we’ve just got to regroup and hope for the best when we go away.”
Coming in at five, Silk has been the main beneficiary of the Sixers’ batting woes, and is the leading run scorer in the competition with 108 runs after getting extra time at the crease.
He’s scored all of those runs at the SCG without being dismissed but made a golden duck in the team’s only away match so knows he’s got plenty of work to do as well to turn things around.
“I can’t get through my first ball and we’ve got four away games to look forward to,” he said.
“But I’m happy with the way I’m hitting the ball. It’s nice to be scoring runs albeit I’d like to have them in a winning cause.”
Every Test, ODI, T20I, and BBL match live & ad-break free during play. SIGN UP NOW!
How to enjoy live cricket with fantasy game SuperCoach BBL
Take the thrills of Australia’s elite Twenty20 league to a new level by playing fantasy cricket for free. Find out how SuperCoach BBL makes being a cricket fan even more fun, and how to get started.
How to get the fantasy cricket app SuperCoach BBL
SuperCoach BBL has become the must-play, free fantasy cricket competition for fans. Now is the time to sharpen your skills and develop a winning strategy.