Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

The 2025/26 season of the Big Bash League (BBL) kicks off with a blockbuster. Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers, two of the most successful teams in BBL history with eight titles between them, both look strong again in the quest for another successful campaign.

The Scorchers endured an uncharacteristically inconsistent season in BBL 2024/25, finishing fifth with just four wins. They have the players to make amends in this campaign, with a powerful top order backed by strong finishers. However, they lose plenty of experience in the bowling department with the likes of AJ Tye and Jason Behrendhorff no longer available, so how they cope will make for interesting viewing.

For the Sydney Sixers, Babar Azam has been making most of the headlines. The star batter will be looking to make a big impact and lead the Sixers to a fourth BBL title. He joins a very settled squad with a long batting lineup and multiple bowling options. But, the Sixers have multiple experienced players unavailable for this match.

BBL 2025/26 1st Match: SCO vs SIX Possible Playing XIs

Finn Allen returned to cricket recently after suffering a foot injury in the 2025 Major League Cricket tournament. He could keep wickets in this match.

Jhye Richardson (Ashes duty), Josh Inglis (Ashes duty) and Lance Morris (injured) are unavailable for this match.

Perth Scorchers: 1. Mitch Marsh, 2. Finn Allen (wk, OS), 3. Aaron Hardie, 4. Cooper Connolly, 5. Ashton Turner (c), 6. Laurie Evans (OS), 7. Nick Hobson, 8. Ashton Agar, 9. Brody Couch, 10. Joel Paris, 11. Mahli Beardman

Jafer Chohan is not available due to illness. Harjas Singh, who smashed 314 off 141 balls in Sydney Grade Cricket earlier this season, joins the squad as a local replacement player.

Singh could play as Jordan Silk is not in the Sixers 14-man squad. Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson and Sam Curran (UAE ILT20) are also not in the squad for this match.

Sydney Sixers: 1. Josh Philippe (wk), 2. Babar Azam (OS), 3. Jack Edwards, 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Daniel Hughes/Harjas Singh, 6. Lachlan Shaw/Joel Davies, 7. Ben Dwarhuis, 8. Hayden Kerr, 9. Charlie Stobo, 10. Todd Murphy, 11. Mitch Perry

Perth Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

Bowlers often have joy at Perth Stadium. In five BBL matches last year, the average first innings score was 159.2. Chasing teams won three times, scoring slightly faster (8.40) compared to teams batting first (8.03).

Since the start of 2024, fast bowlers have taken 87 wickets in BBL matches on this ground at an average of 23.36 and economy of 8.33. Spinners have had a lesser role on the bouncy pitch, taking 31 wickets but at a respectable average (25.23) and economy (7.89).

A very hot afternoon is forecast in Perth with temperatures reaching 40 degrees. There is a chance of afternoon showers which could prompt the captain who wins the toss to chase. The game starts at 4:15pm local time.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for SCO vs SIX: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Josh Philippe is one of the Sixers’ key players. He has 394 runs at 30.31 with a strike rate of 139.22 against the Scorchers. However, he does have a poor record on this ground with just 72 runs in six matches.
• Finn Allen has had an up and down time in the BBL, averaging just 18.10 in ten matches. But, he is worth a pick in some of your Dream11 teams as the Sixers are missing plenty of experience in their squad.

Top batter picks:

• Mitch Marsh is picked in 91.75% of Dream11 teams and with good reason. Marsh is having a year to remember, smashing 1,081 runs in all T20s at an average of 41.6 and strike rate of 161.1.
• Ashton Turner can be an excellent differential pick as he is currently selected by 34.26% of Dream11 players. The Scorchers captain has the most runs in SCO-SIX matchups with 610 at an average of 35.88 and strike rate of 158.03.
• Babar Azam is a star but how quickly can he adjust to the bouncy pitch in Perth? This is the big question for a player who averages 35.3 with a strike rate of 122.3 in all T20s this year.

Key all-rounder picks:

• Since the start of 2023, Aaron Hardie has scored 779 BBL runs at an average of 35.4 and strike rate of 129.4. He should bat in the top three and can contribute overs.
• Cooper Connolly should bat in the top five and can contribute overs with his left-arm spin. He also fields in the hotspot positions. The all-rounder has scored 70 runs in two innings against the Sixers at a strike rate of 170.73.
• Moises Henriques will be the key cog in the Sixers middle order with experience missing. The Sixers skipper has the second-most runs in SCO-SIX matches (545) at an average of 27.25 and strike rate of 129.45.

Top bowler picks:

• Ben Dwarshuis boasts the most experience among bowlers in this game. He has 18 wickets in 19 games against the Scorchers and also strikes at 189.33 with the bat.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Jack Edwards could bat in the top order and is also a key bowler. He is tall in stature and can generate good bounce off the Perth surface. However, keep in mind that Edwards averages just 13.83 with the bat in six innings against the Scorchers.
• Mahli Beardman has taken multiple wickets in each game in the Australian One Day Cup. He is sharp and can surprise the Sixers with his pace.
• Hayden Kerr has dismissed Aaron Hardie twice in 24 balls in the BBL (30 runs). Kerr can also contribute runs down the order.
• Laurie Evans has an outstanding record on this ground, smashing 240 runs in six innings at an average of 60.00 and strike rate of 179.10.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 29, Scorchers 17, Sixers 12.
• Scorchers lead the Sixers 4-2 in six meetings at Perth Stadium.
• Finn Allen in T20s at Perth Stadium: 5 inns, 103 runs, avg. 20.60, SR 180.70.
• Aaron Hardie vs Sydney Sixers: 10 inns, 223 runs, avg. 24.78, SR 144.81.
• Ashton Agar vs Sydney Sixers: 15 inns, 8 wickets, avg. 52.25, econ. 7.60.
• Joel Paris vs Josh Philippe in T20s: 36 balls, 42 runs, one wicket.
• Ben Dwarshuis vs Mitch Marsh in T20s: 15 balls, 19 runs, one wicket.
• Ben Dwarshuis vs Ashton Turner in T20s: 56 balls, 90 runs, three wickets.

BBL 2025/26 1st Match: SCO vs SIX Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

BBL 2025/26 1st Match: SCO vs SIX Match Prediction – Who will win?

An even contest is on the cards between two teams missing a host of experienced players. At home, I’ll back Perth Scorchers to win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.