Two teams in prime form lock horns when the Sydney Sixers host the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League at the SCG on Friday.
Where to Watch Live
The game is scheduled for a 7.40 pm local time (2.10 pm IST) start with live coverage on Channel Ten in Australia and Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD1 in India. The match can be viewed via live streaming online in Australia HERE. Viewers in the US can live stream the action HERE, while Africa viewers can do the same HERE. The match will be telecast live on Sky Sports 2 in the UK, with the live streaming option HERE.
The Sixers have been outstanding in BBL 03, winning three of their four matches so far, with the final one being an impressive six-wicket victory over the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday.
Sydney, who will also be boosted by the return of Ashes heroes Steven Smith and Nathan Lyon along with England pacer Chris Tremlett, however, know in the Scorchers they might be up against their most formidable opponents yet.
Both the Sixers and the Scorchers have the same number of points - six -- with Perth sitting above Sydney on net run rate, albeit having played a game more.
"Perth are definitely a strong side so hopefully we can make some in-roads early with the ball and put a couple of their young players under a bit of pressure and when we get our chance to bat, play some smart cricket and get over the line out here at the SCG," said Smith, who will take over captaining duties from Moises Henriques.
"I think every game from here on in is pretty crucial for us. In these sorts of tournaments you have to keep on continuing to improve throughout and if you're lucky enough to be in the finals you need to be playing you're best cricket come then."
The Scorchers' death bowling came up trumps in their last game against the Hobart Hurricanes, with Nathan Coulter-Nile taking 2/2 in the penultimate over to help grab a win from the jaws of defeat.
"The guys are happy with where we are at but we are also realistic to know we've been fortunate on a few occasions to win games we shouldn't have," Perth scorchers skipper Simon Katich said.
"We know if we start to get things right, particularly with the bat, we can make it easier for ourselves.
"The Sixers are a great team, they are right up there, equal points with us, so it's a massive game for us.
"The aim is to get to the semis and anything can happen."
The Scorchers will have to do without the services of Coulter-Nile and Shaun Marsh after the duo were selected into the Australia team for the one-day internationals against England.
That has opened up an opportunity for Alfonso Thomas to make his mark in the first XI, if he can recover from his injury in time, with left-arm pace bowler Ryan Duffield also slotting into the final 13-man squad.
Squads: Sydney Sixers: Steve Smith (capt), Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Josh Lalor, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Marcus North, Stephen O'Keefe, Jordan Silk, Dan Smith, Chris Tremlett.
Perth Scorchers: Simon Katich (capt), Yasir Arafat, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Ryan Duffield, Brad Hogg, Mitch Marsh, Craig Simmons, Alfonso Thomas, Ashton Turner, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman.
