• Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers will clash in the Big Bash League final at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Getty Images
    Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers will clash in the Big Bash League final at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Getty Images
  • Nathan Coutler-Nile of Melbourne is bowled during a BBL match against Sydney Sixers. Getty Images
    Nathan Coutler-Nile of Melbourne is bowled during a BBL match against Sydney Sixers. Getty Images
  • Sydney Sixers' Steve Smith before a training session at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Getty Images
    Sydney Sixers' Steve Smith before a training session at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Getty Images
  • The Big Bash League final between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers is likely to be washed out. Getty Images
    The Big Bash League final between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers is likely to be washed out. Getty Images
  • Sydney Sixers will become champions by default in case of a washout on Saturday as they are the hosts. Getty Images
    Sydney Sixers will become champions by default in case of a washout on Saturday as they are the hosts. Getty Images
  • Nicolas Maddinson of Melbourne Stars against Sydney Sixers. Getty Images
    Nicolas Maddinson of Melbourne Stars against Sydney Sixers. Getty Images
  • The match between Sydney and Melbourne can't be moved to another city and there is no reserve day. Getty Images
    The match between Sydney and Melbourne can't be moved to another city and there is no reserve day. Getty Images
  • Josh Hazlewood and James Vince of Sydney Sixers celebrate during their match against the Melbourne Stars in January. Getty Images
    Josh Hazlewood and James Vince of Sydney Sixers celebrate during their match against the Melbourne Stars in January. Getty Images
  • Steve Smith of Sydney Sixers during the BBL match against Melbourne Stars in January. Getty Images
    Steve Smith of Sydney Sixers during the BBL match against Melbourne Stars in January. Getty Images

Cricket

Why Sydney Sixers are almost certain to win Big Bash League title on the eve of final

Heavy rain forecast on day of final against Melbourne Stars in Sydney, with no reserve day in place

Ajit Vijaykumar

February 07, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Sydney Sixers are all but certain to win the Big Bash League T20 title on Saturday. And no, it is not because of any nefarious reasons.

The Sixers take on Melbourne Stars in the title clash at their home – the Sydney Cricket Ground. But the weather forecast is for torrential rain throughout the weekend. That has put the tournament organisers in a spot as they don't have room for manoeuvering.

There is no reserve day for the final, which means Sydney will be crowned champions as they are the hosts; which is the deciding factor in such a case according to the tournament rules.

Cricket Australia revealed moving the final to another city at short notice was not possible given the logistics and costs involved. The tournament that started on December 17 is thus likely to have a winner by default.

Interestingly, the charity game for bushfire relief was moved from Sydney to Melbourne on Thursday due to the forecast.

That T10 match will now be played in Melbourne on Sunday, forcing some big names to drop out of the match due to clash of dates. Shane Warne, Michael Hussey, and Michael Clarke are among those forced to miss the charity match.

Australia CricketCricket