Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) The final match is only a few hours away from now. The match is scheduled to start at 1.45 PM tomorrow (January 25, 2026) at the Optus Stadium (Perth Stadium) in Perth. Ahead of the match, fans are speculating about the teams‘ probable playing combinations. Both of the camps have extraordinary sets of players.
With multiple world-class batters and bowlers, the final of the BBL 2025-26 is going to be a must-watch for cricket fans. But what can be the playing XIs of the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers? This article provides cricket fans with the necessary details on the probable playing XIs of Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers for the grand finale, offering insight into team selections and key players to watch in the series opener.
Perth Scorchers playing XI for BBL 2025-26 final
Let’s start the discussion with the Perth Scorchers, as they have a better win ratio than the Sydney Sixers. Captained by Ashton Turner, the team has so far produced some of the best batting displays throughout the tournament. If their batting lineup clicks, then for the Sydney Sixers, the situation will be more complicated than they could have thought before.
The surface of the Perth Stadium is expected to offer some extra bounce for the pacers, which can be fruitful in both ways. In the shorter format of the game, because of the field setting rules in the initial stage of the match, batters get an advantage to accumulate some extra runs on the scoreboard.
Openers: Mitchell Marsh and Finn Allen
The opening combination of Mitchell Marsh and Finn Allen proved to be one of the deadliest across the franchise cricket tournaments. While Marsh can start with a watchful manner, Allen can take the aerial route instantly. Even an outside edge can prove helpful for him and for the Perth Scorchers during the initial stage of the match. The result of the match can be heavily dependent on this pair of batters.
Middle-order: Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Laurie Evans, Josh Inglis.
Their middle order is almost in perfect shape with Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly, and Ashton Turner. Connolly can be very handy in such situations against the slower bowlers. The same can go appropriate for Turner as well. In the middle of the game, Connolly and Turner can combine well for a significant partnership.
Bowlers: Jhye Richardson, David Payne, Mahli Beardman, and Brody Couch.
It was the bowling strength where they might fall short, as they have only Jhye Richardson as a proven pacer. But the recent form of Mahli Beardman has come as a ray of hope for them. Like the opening pair, the bowling pair of Richardson and Beardman can cause a significant amount of damage to the Sydney Sixers.
Perth Scorchers probable playing XI: Finn Allen, Mitchell Marsh, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Laurie Evans, Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson, David Payne, Mahli Beardman, and Brody Couch.
Sydney Sixers playing XI for the BBL 2025-26 final
If we talk about strength, then the Sydney Sixers is probably the best team in the league to compete with the Perth Scorchers toe-to-toe. Despite Babar Azam’s uneven form, in-form batter Steve Smith can take away the game single-handedly if he is able to maintain his present form.
Openers: Steven Smith and Jack Edwards
The Sixers never looked back since the inclusion of Smith into their playing XI. Sydney Sixers is expected to field their playing XI with a new pair of openers, which could offer the opposition bowlers some extra advantage.
Middle Order: Lachlan Shaw, Moises Henriques, Josh Philippe, Ben Dwarshuis, Sam Curran.
Along with Smith, Moises Henriques and Josh Philippe also have all the potential to tear apart the confidence of the opposing bowlers. In the case of Smith trapped early, then Philippe and Henriques will be in the middle for the rescue work. Both of them have the credibility to control the pace of a game.
Bowles: Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, and Hayden Kerr.
If we talk about the balance between both teams, then the line-up the Sydney Sixers could go with can look more balanced than the Perth. In their bowling front, Sydney has Mitchell Starc, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, and Sam Curran as pace bowling all-rounders.
With this combination of bowlers, the Sixers can run a riot on the Perth Scorchers batting lineup. The contest between the bowlers and batters will be most exciting to watch for cricket fans.
Sydney Sixers probable playing XI: Steven Smith, Jack Edwards, Lachlan Shaw, Moises Henriques, Josh Philippe, Ben Dwarshuis, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Sam Curran, and Hayden Kerr.
