Sydney Sixers assistant coach Cameron White has labelled the Perth Scorchers a team to beat in BBL12 – despite the side’s forced roster overhaul and loss of star Mitch Marsh to injury.
The Scorchers romped to a remarkable fifth straight victory over the Sixers on Saturday night, after Aaron Hardie’s late heroics lifted Perth from 5-49 to a respectable 9-155.
In reply, the Sixers were rolled for 117 as Jhye Richardson did the damage with the ball to claim 4-9 off his four overs.
Watch BBL12. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MATCH CENTRE: Scorchers vs Sixers teams, scorecard, videos, updates
White was disappointed his side sunk to a second straight loss to start their campaign after sitting in such a great position early in the contest in Perth.
“It probably feels like the one that got away a bit,” he said.
“5-49 – you win most of those games from that position bowing first.
“The Scorchers are a fine tuned outfit.
THAT IS A CLASSIC! Amazing Agar catch | 00:40
“They’ve got a super bowling line up.
“They make life difficult.
“(Perth’s bowlers have) pace on the ball, hit the seam, top of the stumps – that’s been their recipe. It’s no secret – they’ve been doing it for years.
“It just shows when you execute what you’re trying to do, not worrying about the opposition, it’s good.”
Just two players reached double figures for the Sixers – Hayden Kerr (42 off 35) and Jordan Silk (41 off 32).
White said he had thought Perth’s off-season changes, which saw Marsh ruled out for the summer and star import Laurie Evans’ contract terminated after a positive drug test he’s pledged to fight, could rock the team.
But that wasn’t the case on Saturday night as Hardie and Ashton Agar stepped up with the bat.
AUS v RSA: First Test, Day 1 Highlights | 06:49
“Once Laurie Evans and Mitch Marsh go out, I’m thinking ‘Geez, you’re not the same team as what I was expecting. I was thinking you’d be almost unbeatable’,” he said.
“But once the program’s there, and especially at home, they are hard to beat.
“They are one of the teams to beat.”
White said despite Hardie’s 55 off 32 balls, he felt the 156 set for victory was “gettable”.
But like Perth, the Sixers lost early wickets while Hayden Kerr and Jordan Silk fell in the power play – at a point in the match where the score was closing up.
First ball! Warner cops Golden Duck | 00:57
White said there was no doubt the decision to bring Jackson Bird into the team to face the Scorchers paid off, but expected the man who made way – Stephen O’Keefe – would return for their next clash at the SCG.
“I think our squad is really strong so any of our team decisions are always difficult. You can come up with any combination – we were sort of tossing around which was the right one for this game,” he said.
“Next game we go to the SCG – completely different circumstances and conditions – SOK will probably be one of the first picked.”
