Sixers bowl first against Stars in BBL

Shayne Hope | January 6, 2023

Eyeing top spot on the BBL table, the Sydney Sixers have won the toss and sent the Melbourne Stars in to bat in their clash at the MCG.

The last-placed Stars (2-5) are desperate for a win on home turf, while the Sixers (4-3) are firmly among the title contenders but have rested veteran spinner Steve O’Keefe.

The decision comes with the Sixers continuing to manage players across a busy block of seven matches in two weeks.

O’Keefe claimed 3-26 from three overs in the washed-out match against the Brisbane Heat on Wednesday.

Ben Dwarshuis is also out out of the side, with Todd Murphy and Izharulhaq Naveed called in as replacements.

Friday night’s match will be New Zealand quick Trent Boult’s last on a short-term contract with the Stars, who have named an unchanged line-up.

There will be plenty of attention on Stars captain Adam Zampa as he returns to action three days after sparking furious debate with his attempted ‘Mankad’ dismissal against the Melbourne Renegades.

Zampa received backing from teammates and West Indies great Brian Lara, who applauded the legspinner’s actions in fighting back against batters who try to gain an advantage by leaving their crease early.

Zampa later said he did not regret the move but was unsure whether he would repeat it.

MELBOURNE STARS: Joe Clarke, Tom Rogers, Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Nick Larkin, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Luke Wood, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa (capt).

SYDNEY SIXERS: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques (capt), Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, Chris Jordan, Todd Murphy, Izharulhaq Naveed.