The Sydney Sixers will recall batter Daniel Hughes for his first Big Bash recreation in a month after they meet the Brisbane Heat of their grand last qualifier.
As they decide Steve Smith’s alternative on the prime of the order for Thursday’s contest Sydney are more likely to desire Hughes or Kurtis Patterson over Hayden Kerr, who opened the batting and saved the day for the Sixers within the corresponding fixture final summer season.
Hughes was a staple for the Sixers on their run to the ultimate final yr however has been the odd man out this time round.
Englishman James Vince, Patterson and Smith have been favoured as Josh Philippe’s associate on the prime, with Hughes coming in at first drop within the three video games he has performed.
But with Vince lengthy since departed for the UAE T20 League and Smith on Test obligation, membership sources advised AAP Hughes could be introduced right into a batting order that underwhelmed in final week’s qualifying last loss to the Perth Scorchers.
Smith knocked two centuries from 5 video games in his BBL cameo however batter Jordan Silk stated the Sixers had religion Hughes was as much as the duty of changing him within the XI.
“We’ve played ten games without Steve and had a few wins along the way so we’re familiar with this group,” he advised reporters.
“(Hughes) has trained well, he’s been great around the group all year. He’s probably one of the more unlucky players in the competition to not be playing.
“He’s been a dependable performer for us on the Sixers for plenty of years.”
Allrounder Kerr found himself promoted to the top of the order in last year’s challenger and was the hero, batting the Sixers home with an unbeaten 98 runs.
This summer, he has yet to open the batting, most often coming in at seven as the Sixers’ last line of defence before the specialist bowlers.
Hughes and Patterson, who opened the batting for the Scorchers in their title win last year, loom as more experienced options at the top despite Kerr’s stellar knock last year.
The Sixers won’t confirm the order of their final team until game day.
“(Kerr) is an important piece for us down in that center to decrease order,” Silk stated.
“Whether we might see his worth on the prime in a recreation like this, I’m unsure what’ll occur there.
“He’s almost been probably too good at the role down that he’s played at six to warrant moving him.”
The Sixers obtained a lift within the lead-up to the sport with news Silk had signed a brand new three-year contract.
“Coming and watching games of Test cricket at the SCG, it was always a boyhood dream to eventually play at this ground,” Silk stated.
“I’m glad that that’s able to continue.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
