What: Big Bash League Grand Final
Who: Strikers v Sixers
When: Saturday, January 24 – 7.10pm (AEDT)
Where: Manuka Oval
I Can Watch It On: Channel 10
Form Guide:
Scorchers: WLWWWLW
Sixers: WLWLLWW
20-20 VISION
Perth Scorchers made it a perfect four from four on Sunday, reaching the Big Bash League final for the fourth straight summer with an 18-run semi-final victory over Melbourne Stars.
A day earlier in the first semi-final, the Sydney Sixers waltzed to a surprisingly lopsided victory over the Adelaide Strikers—this season's leading side that lost just once in the group stage of the competition.
The Sixers have made one change with all-rounder Simon Keen replacing Luke Doran in the squad. The Scorchers are unchanged from their semi-final win over Melbourne Stars.
REASON TO WATCH
After endless summer nights of the Big Bash we have arrived at the business end of the tournament.
Two very good teams remain standing.
Both the Scorchers and Sixers were strong in their semi-final victories and are chasing the chance to become the first BBL club to win two titles.
Wednesday's final will mark the last match of Brett Lee's career, after he announced his retirement from all cricket earlier this month.
Nic Maddinson scored 85 from 46 balls in last week's semi-final against Adelaide Strikers. Photo: Getty
SAY WHAT
The Scorchers have been questioning the decision to hold the final in Canberra, a right they would normally have won as the highest ranked grand finalist.
"It's obviously disappointing for our fans, but it's not like it's a decision we made this week – we've all known about it for a long time and it would've been the same had Adelaide [Strikers] won the other night," Scorchers chief executive Christina Matthews said.
FINAL WORD
Perth go into the match as favourites and all the better for having finally won a title last year..... But you get the sense Canberra will offer more home comforts to the Sixers.
Last time these team met was December 29 at the SCG, when the visitors won by 36 runs. Chasing 136 for victory, the Sixers were rolled for just 99 - their lowest BBL score.
Interestingly, these sides have opposite strengths.
The key to the Sixers' season to date has been their batting, with four members of the squad already passing 200 runs (three of those have passed 250) for the tournament.
So many of Perth's victories this season have followed impressive bowling performances where they've sufficated the opposition despite defending only mediocre.
In their group-stage clash with the Sixers, Perth comfortably defended 135. Against the Strikers, they defended 133. Against Hobart Hurricanes, they defended 141. And against Brisbane Heat, they limited the visitors to just 134.
Jason Behrendorff has taken 14 wickets at an economy rate of 6.44 in this summer's BBL. Photo: Getty
Led by Andrew Tye and Jason Behrendorff, the Scorchers' attack has bailed out a batting lineup that's relied too much on opener Michael Klinger - the BBL04 top scorer.
With a top order that boasts Nic Maddinson, Jordan Silk, Michael Lumb, Riki Wessels and Moises Henriques, the Sydney-based outfit possesses one of the strongest batting lineups in the Big Bash and the sort capable of reaching 180-plus.
An up and down season by their own high standards, the Sixers are carrying the momentum of two strong victories in a row down to Manuka Oval.
We're backing them to win in a low-scoring, high pressure affair.
TEAMS
Perth Scorchers 13-man Squad: Adam Voges (c), Ashton Agar, Yasir Arafat, Jason Behrendorff, Michael Carberry, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Marcus Harris, Brad Hogg, Michael Klinger, Shaun Marsh, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman
Sydney Sixers 13-man Squad: Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Ed Cowan, Simon Keen, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Stephen O’Keefe, Jordan Silk, Riki Wessels