Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers will begin their bid for a record third straight KFC Big Bash League title at their spiritual home, the SCG, when they host the BBL|11 season opener against the Melbourne Stars on Sunday December 5.
That blockbuster will be the first of five games at the SCG in December (5th, 11th, 21st, 29th) and January (15th), with the Sixers’ remaining two ‘home’ games taking place at Coffs Harbour’s C.ex Coffs International Stadium on January 1 and 9.
The Sixers will host cross town rivals Sydney Thunder on January 15 in the season’s second Sydney Smash, with the team’s visit to Sydney Showground Stadium scheduled for a marquee Boxing Day clash.
eCalendar of all fixtures > click here
The fixtures were announced as the BBL signalled its intention to return to a full 61-game home and away schedule this summer, allowing fans to watch their favourite clubs at their traditional homes should public health conditions allow.
And the season will culminate with the Final on Friday, January 28, ensuring an action-packed summer holidays featuring stars from across Australia and around the world.
Sixers coach Greg Shipperd said the fixture announcement was a first step in the team’s journey towards BBL|11.
“This announcement is just the start of our journey for the season and our quest to win a third straight BBL title,” Shipperd said.
“I hope it can help boost the spirits of our fans, especially in Sydney, in what is a pretty tough time.”
“The players are back training and are already looking forward to getting back to our home at the SCG and playing a few games in Coffs Harbour. I hope our fans stay safe and are looking forward to joining us during the season.”
Additionally, the League has today lifted the KFC BBL contracting embargo. Clubs will now be able to complete their lists for the season, including securing the signatures of up to three international players in their 18-player squads.
Other highlights of the home and away season, which features 56 games in 46 days, include:
– A total of 14 venues visited across seven states and territories, including a return to GMHBA Stadium in Geelong and C.ex Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour.
– For the first time, the KFC BBL will also play one match at the CitiPower Centre in Melbourne.
– The first Sydney Derby to be held on Boxing Day, with other Sydney and Melbourne derbies slated for January 3 (MCG), January 13 (Marvel Stadium) and January 15 (SCG)
– Hobart Hurricanes to host Melbourne Stars in their traditional Christmas Eve match at Blundstone Arena
– Adelaide Strikers to welcome Sydney Thunder for their New Years Eve extravaganza as highlight of seven Adelaide Oval home games.
– All Brisbane Heat Gabba home games to be played in school holidays
– Perth Scorchers fans treated to four peak period home games from December 27 to January 6, before the Fifth Men’s Ashes Test between Australia and England.
– As in KFC BBL|10, the regular season will be completed with a triple header, with matches across three venues on January 19.
The five-match Finals series is scheduled to begin on Friday, January 21, with The Eliminator, The Qualifier and The Knockout taking place across three consecutive nights. The Challenger follows on Wednesday, January 26, with The Final on Friday, January 28.
In all, 45 KFC BBL|11 matches will be broadcast on Seven, with all 61 matches to be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo. SEN will also broadcast KFC BBL|11 matches nationwide.
Further information regarding club memberships and ticket availability will be released shortly.
The League will continue to monitor the public health situation throughout the summer and prioritise the health and safety of fans, players, staff and officials in all its decisions.
Sydney Sixers – BBL|11 – full list of fixtures (All times AEDT):
v. Melbourne Stars | Sunday, December 5 | 7.15pm | SCG
v. Hobart Hurricanes | Wednesday, December 8 | 6.35pm | UTAS Stadium, Launceston
v. Hobart Hurricanes | Saturday, December 11 | 6.35pm | SCG
v. Melbourne Stars | Wednesday, December 15 | 7.15pm | MCG
v. Adelaide Strikers | Tuesday, December 21 | 7.15pm | SCG
v. Sydney Thunder | Sunday, December 26 | 6.05pm | Sydney Showground Stadium
v. Brisbane Heat | Wednesday, December 29 | 6.05pm | SCG
v. Melbourne Renegades | Saturday, January 1 | 7.30pm | C.ex Coffs International Stadium
v. Brisbane Heat | Tuesday, January 4 | 7.15pm | Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
v. Perth Scorchers | Thursday, January 6 | 9.15pm | Optus Stadium
v. Perth Scorchers | Sunday, January 9 | 7.15pm | C.ex Coffs International Stadium
v. Melbourne Renegades | Tuesday, January 11 | 7.15pm | GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
v. Sydney Thunder | Saturday, January 15 | 7.40pm | SCG
v. Adelaide Strikers | Tuesday, January 18 | 7.15pm | Adelaide Oval
Name of Author: Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers are an Australian professional Twenty20 cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Sixers, along with the Sydney Thunder, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the now-defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
