Perth Scorchers will take on Sydney Sixers in Qualifier 1 of the ongoing 2025/26 Big Bash League at Optus Stadium on 20th January 2026. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the Qualifier 1 match between the Heat and the Sixers.  

BBL|15 Qualifier 1: Scorchers vs Sixers | 14:00 IST, January 20, 2026

Although top four always looked like a formality, winning each of their last three league fixtures has helped the Scorchers leapfrog multiple teams to finish top of the league standings. Their reward is now having the safety net of a double lifeline on the road to the finals, as well as having home fixture advantage on the first hurdle. 

In the batting department, the opening duo of Mitchell Marsh and Finn Allen is firing on all cylinders – with the latter registering knocks of 69 off 39 and 101 off 53 in his last two outings. All-rounder Aaron Hardie has been as reliable as ever in the middle-order with 317 runs while both Ashton Turner and Cooper Connolly have chipped in with useful runs. 

Their bowling attack has done a commendable job overall, although extra wicket-taking choices would not go astray. Connolly has caught the eye with 13 wickets in nine innings while going at 6.66 per over. Hardie and Mahli Beardman have combined for 18 scalps, sharing the load across matches. 

However, getting Jhye Richardson back for the last leg has been a huge boost, with the former Australia international coming in straight off a decisive 4 for 16 against the Melbourne Stars in their last match. 

As for their opponents, Sydney Sixers, they’ve been one of the teams to watch in the back end of the league alongside the Scorchers. Five wins and a washed out game in their last six fixtures has catapulted them from seventh to second. A win here would see them reach another final while a defeat will still give them a second chance. 

In the batting department, Babar Azam and Josh Philippe continued their inconsistent runs with the bat. That said, Steven Smith at the top of the order has been one of the main differences to this Sixers turnaround. However, in their recent do-or-die game against the Brisbane Heat, it was English all-rounder Sam Curran who guided his team to a five-wicket victory with a match-winning unbeaten knock of 53 off 27. That said, they still need the likes of Josh Philippe and the rest of the middle order to start contributing more which hasn’t been the case recently. 

In the bowling department, though, things are looking a lot better. While Jack Edwards still leads the tally with 14 wickets, the rest of the bowling attack has stepped up in recent weeks. Mitchell Starc was the star of the show with the ball against the Heat, picking up 4 for 35 in his four overs. Joel Davis and Sean Abbott have done wonderfully in this period, making this one of the most potent bowling attacks in the tournament at present. 

In terms of weather forecast and pitch report, expect conditions to remain clear throughout the game. The average first-innings score at Optus Stadium is 165 runs. During this BBL season, though, the five games held at this ground produced totals of 113-5 (11 overs), 150-8, 153-8, 127, and 130—proving the pitch doesn’t encourage run-fests. Thus anything above 150 will make this a very interesting contest.  

Looking ahead to this fixture, both Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers enter this contest high on confidence and will fancy their chances of making the finals. The Sixers are missing Sam Curran, which does dent their prospects slightly, but strong performances from Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc could swing things in their favor. The Scorchers, on the other hand, look dangerous right now. Their batting lineup has found its rhythm, and playing at home should give them an extra advantage going into this clash. Thus, we are backing the Perth Scorchers to be slight favourites in this contest. 

Fantasy XI: Mitchell Marsh, Finn Allen, Steven Smith (vc), Aaron Hardie (c), Jack Edwards, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, David Payne, Ben Dwarshuis

Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth 

Winners Prediction: Perth Scorchers