The stage is set for a historic showdown at Optus Stadium as the Sydney Sixers prepare to face the Perth Scorchers in the BBL|15 Final this Sunday, January 25, 2026. This marks the sixth time these two titans have met in a championship decider, solidifying the fiercest rivalry in Big Bash history. After a rollercoaster season, the Sixers secured their spot by dismantling the Hobart Hurricanes in the Challenger, but the narrative of their campaign is clearly divided into two distinct eras: the steady grind of the early weeks and the “Smith factor” that has redefined their late-season charge.
Foundation, grit and grind of the Sydney Sixers’ form before Steve Smith in BBL|15
In the early stages of BBL|15, the Sydney Sixers leaned heavily on their veteran leadership and a find a way to win mentality. Without their marquee international stars for much of the regular season, captain Moises Henriques and the bowling trio of Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, and Jack Edwards carried the load.
The team’s form was characterized by clinical bowling and opportunistic batting. They remained competitive, hovering near the top of the table, but often lacked the explosive X-factor at the top of the order. During this period, the Sixers relied on contributions from Josh Philippe and the occasional brilliance of Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who provided stability but sometimes struggled to provide the high-tempo starts needed in the modern T20 game. While the Sixers managed to win five of their first eight games, their victories were often hard-fought, lower-scoring affairs that tested the depth of their middle order.
The Smith masterclass: A transformation in momentum paving the way to BBL|15 Final
The arrival of Steve Smith, fresh from a T20 sabbatical and playing with a point to prove, transformed the Sixers from contenders into a juggernaut. Since rejoining the squad for the back end of the season, Smith has been in “red-hot” form, averaging an astonishing 69.00 across his five appearances with a hundred against Sydney Thunders.
His impact was immediate, providing the tactical aggression and stability the team lacked. While the Sixers stumbled in the Qualifier against a fierce Perth attack, where Smith’s 37 was the only resistance in a dismal team total of 99, he quickly redeemed the side in the Challenger. His sublime 65 off 43 balls against the Hurricanes propelled the Sixers to a massive 198, effectively batting Hobart out of the contest.
Since Smith’s arrival, the Sixers’ batting philosophy has shifted; they no longer look to just “survive” the powerplay but to dominate it. Coupled with Mitchell Starc’s return to the bowling attack, the “Smith-led” Sixers now possess a psychological edge. As they head back to Perth for the Final, the equation for the Scorchers is simple but daunting: dismiss Smith early, or watch the BBL trophy return to Sydney on the back of another masterclass.
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