The Sydney Sixers are facing an anxious wait over the fitness of their star fast bowler Mitchell Starc after a disappointing defeat in the Big Bash League qualifier final against the Perth Scorchers. The Sixers missed a golden opportunity to secure a direct path to the grand final, collapsing to just 99 runs in 15 overs while chasing the Scorchers' total of 9-147 at Perth Stadium on Tuesday night.
Sixers' Path to Grand Final Now More Difficult
This loss has pushed the Sydney team into a must-win challenger final, which will be played at the SCG on Friday against either the Melbourne Stars or Hobart Hurricanes. Should the Sixers emerge victorious in that elimination match, they would need to travel back to Perth to confront the Scorchers once more in Sunday's grand final. The championship decider is anticipated to draw a crowd exceeding 50,000 spectators, presenting a formidable challenge for Sydney, who have already suffered two defeats in Perth during this season.
Starc's Shoulder Injury Casts Shadow Over Crucial Matches
The most immediate concern for the Sixers revolves around Mitchell Starc, who sustained a left shoulder injury while attempting a spectacular diving catch during Tuesday's match. The experienced paceman was visibly in discomfort for several minutes following the incident, stretching and massaging the affected area to assess the damage. Although Starc managed to complete his remaining three overs, finishing with figures of 2-32, his shoulder will undergo further medical evaluation on Wednesday to determine the extent of any ongoing issues.
Sixers captain Moises Henriques expressed cautious optimism about Starc's condition, noting that such injuries can sometimes worsen after the initial adrenaline subsides. "Sometimes with these types of injuries, they can get worse once you cool down," Henriques remarked. "So we're kind of hoping that's not the case, but we'll see. He's been magnificent for us. His attitude around the group is fantastic, and he wants to play. So I'm hoping he's good."
Heavy Workload Adds to Selection Dilemma
Even if Starc receives medical clearance for his shoulder, his participation in Friday's crucial match remains uncertain due to his demanding recent schedule. The left-arm quick played all five Tests during the recent Ashes series and has now featured in three BBL matches within just five days, with games in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. Henriques indicated that the team would adopt a cautious approach, taking decisions "match by match" regarding Starc's availability.
"He's an absolute beast," Henriques said of his teammate. "If anyone can do it, it's going to be him. But we don't want to put him at risk for his future commitments. At the moment, I know he'll be wanting to play."
Captain Criticises Batting Approach in Modest Chase
Henriques was openly critical of his team's batting performance during what should have been a manageable run chase. The Sixers found themselves in deep trouble at 5-64 as key batsmen including Babar Azam, Josh Philippe, Henriques himself, Lachlan Shaw, and Jack Edwards fell cheaply, mostly to overly aggressive shots. Only Steve Smith showed any substantial resistance with 37 runs from 24 deliveries, but when he was dismissed by Mahli Beardman, who finished with impressive figures of 3-20, Sydney's hopes evaporated completely.
"I mean, everyone's going to feel pretty gutted," Henriques admitted. "It's a tough one, because some of the decisions were probably poor decisions when you're chasing 148. It's one of those situations that when you're only chasing seven an over, we probably didn't need to take quite the amount of risks we were looking to take early in the innings."
Scorchers Eye Historic Sixth BBL Title
Meanwhile, the Perth Scorchers will be aiming to secure a record-breaking sixth Big Bash League championship when they face either the Sixers, Stars, or Hurricanes in Sunday's grand final. Their dominant performance throughout the season has positioned them as strong favorites to claim another title, adding further pressure to whichever team emerges from the challenger final to confront them in Perth.
