Last Updated on 4 days by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Match 4: HH vs SS Preview Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BBL09 Match Prediction Today | Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers Prediction Today | Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers Key Players | HH vs SS Dream11 Prediction

The first day game of BBL09 serves up a delicious-looking menu in central Australia. If the result is as good as its potential, we could really be in for a cracker.

Hobart Hurricanes, BBL08’s most consistent team, begin their campaign against a side that showed plenty of great signs mid-week. However, they fell away at the back end of last season, and it remains to be seen how they go without Matthew Wade and Jofra Archer.

Sydney Sixers, led by the bowlers and the superb Josh Philippe, swept aside Perth Scorchers. If there was one negative of the Sixers’ BBL08 season, it was their inability to put good performances together consecutively. Can they do so here against Hobart?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• How can you look past the openers from each side? D’Arcy Short has been leading run-scorer in each of the past two BBL seasons. Josh Philippe was out of this world against Perth Scorchers. What a battle this could be.
• Also, Philippe scored 86* (49) in Sixers’ last meeting vs Hurricanes. James Vince scored 74* (50) in the same game.
• George Bailey (210) and D’Arcy Short (199) have the most runs in Hurricanes-Sixers matches. They average 52.50 and 49.75 respectively vs the Sixers.
• Sean Abbott (9) has the most wickets in Hurricanes-Sixers matches.
• However, the slower pitch in Alice Springs could bring the spinners into the game. Ben Manenti, Steve O’Keefe and Qais Ahmed can be key players in the match.
• Also, James Faulkner can be effective with his slower balls

Head-to-Head:

• Matches: 10, Hobart Hurricanes 5, Sydney Sixers 5.

Key to a Hobart Hurricanes win

Will the departure of Jofra Archer prove fatal for Hobart? Time will tell, but onus is on their inexperienced seam attack to lead the way against a potentially dangerous Sixers lineup. Importantly, a platform needs to be set for the spinners – particularly Qais Ahmed – to perform well.

Also, eyes will be on D’Arcy Short. Leading run-scorer in each of the last two BBL seasons, Short has provided many-a-great start for the Hurricanes. With Matt Wade missing, it is important Short does so again to set a platform for the likes of Ben McDermott, George Bailey and David Miller.

Key to a Sydney Sixers win

Can the Sixers top order back up their blistering showing against Perth Scorchers? Led by Josh Philippe, the Sixers made 131 look like child’s play. However, the challenge will be to repeat the good work again, with the likes of Daniel Hughes, James Vince and Moises Henriques also needing to show their experience.

Also, can the Sixers produce the goods on what could be a slowish Alice Springs track? D’Arcy Short will be a huge wicket up front, and if they can get him early, they will be sure to ask questions of a Hurricanes middle order that did often go untested in BBL08.

Possible Playing 11

Ben McDermott will lead the Hobart Hurricanes in the absence of Matthew Wade (Test duty).

Hobart Hurricanes: 1. D’Arcy Short, 2. Caleb Jewell, 3. Ben McDermott (c & wk), 4. George Bailey, 5. David Miller, 6. Simon Milenko, 7. James Faulkner, 8. Thomas Rogers, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Clive Rose, 11. Riley Meredith

Sydney Sixers have made one change to their 13-man squad. Jack Edwards is out, with Lloyd Pope coming in. Whether Pope lines up in the XI remains to be seen.

Sydney Sixers: 1. Daniel Hughes, 2. Josh Philippe (wk), 3. James Vince, 4. Moises Henriques, 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Hayden Kerr, 7. Tom Curran, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Steve O’Keefe, 11. Ben Manenti

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch in Alice Springs looks to be one that could start off truly, then slow up as the game progresses. Conditions are going to be very tough for the players, with temperatures of 42 degrees forecast.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

A game that can go either way in the heat of Alice Springs.

Sydney Sixers to get the win in a close game? Perhaps.

Thanks for reading!