Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers will face each other in the Qualifier of the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) on January 20 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. This article provides details about the Playing 11 of the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming match.
Sydney Sixers Playing XI vs Perth Scorchers – Qualifier, BBL 2025-26:
Openers: Babar Azam, Steve Smith
The Sydney Sixers head into the Qualifier desperate for a strong comeback, especially with the bat, after their not-so-impressive outing during their five-wicket win against the Melbourne Stars. The pressure will be firmly on the top order to deliver when it matters most.
All eyes will be on Babar Azam, who had a forgettable last match after managing just one run, and will be eager to silence critics with a match-defining performance against the Perth Scorchers.
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On the brighter side, Steve Smith is in red-hot form. With a stunning century followed by a classy fifty in his last two games, fans will be hoping the Australian batting superstar rises once again on the big stage and leads the Sixers’ charge in the Qualifier.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Lachlan Shaw, Jack Edwards
Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques will have to step up and deliver their best with the bat against the Perth Scorchers in the BBL 2025-26 Qualifier, as the Sydney Sixers will be without their in-form all-rounder Sam Curran, who returned to national duty for the England-Sri Lanka series.
Jordan Silk is all but confirmed to take Curran’s place in the playing XI, and he will aim for an impactful comeback. Young batter Lachlan Shaw and star all-rounder Jack Edwards will provide late firepower to help the Sixers with the bat against the Scorchers.
Bowlers: Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc
Sydney Sixers will put their hopes on a powerful bowling attack in this big game, with Mitchell Starc leading the attack. The left-arm pacer has made a strong return to the Big Bash League after a long gap and looks hungry to take his team into the final.
Starc’s four-wicket burst against the Brisbane Heat has already sent a warning to the Scorchers. The Australian pacer will get solid support from Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, and Sean Abbott, giving the Sixers plenty of pace and variety. Jordan Silk adds another option to the mix.
The Sixers bowlers will need to strike early against a strong Perth Scorchers batting lineup and stay ahead from the first ball to keep the hosts under pressure.
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Perth Scorchers Playing XI vs Sydney Sixers – Qualifier, BBL 2025-26:
Openers: Mitchell Marsh, Finn Allen
All eyes will be on Mitchell Marsh as the Perth Scorchers step into the Qualifier with everything on the line. The Australian T20 captain is coming off a quiet run in his last two matches and will be eager to silence doubts with a big knock in the Qualifier. Despite the recent dip, Marsh remains one of the tournament’s top run-scorers with over 300 runs.
Alongside Marsh, Finn Allen has been unstoppable. The New Zealand star has smashed 381 runs in just nine games and sits second on the run charts. Together, the duo will look to fire and push the Scorchers into the final on January 20.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner (c), Laurie Evans (wk), Nick Hobson
Captain Ashton Turner (212 runs in 10 games), Aaron Hardie (317 runs in 10 games), and Nick Hobson (161 runs in 6 matches) will share the responsibility of scoring big runs in the middle order as the Scorchers aim to qualify for the BBL 15 final on Tuesday.
On the other hand, the wicketkeeper-batter Laurie Evans, who has been struggling with the bat, will be aiming to step up and contribute with the bat in the big game against the Sixers.
Bowlers: Jhye Richardson, Luke Holt, David Payne, Mahli Beardman
Speaking about the Perth Scorchers’ bowling attack, Jhye Richardson will lead the attack, having regained form with a four-wicket haul in their previous game against the Melbourne Stars. The responsibility will be shared by Cooper Connolly, David Payne, and Mahli Beardman.
Connolly might not have delivered big runs with the bat so far, but he has been in sensational form with the ball, and he will once again look to provide big breakthroughs against the Sixers. However, Luke Holt has had a mixed season; Payne and Beardman have been impressive so far in the league.
