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Big Bash League fixtures: Perth Scorchers to start BBL defence with home grand final re-match v Sydney Sixers

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
The Perth Scorchers will face a rematch with the Sydney Sixers in the first game of the season.
Camera IconThe Perth Scorchers will face a rematch with the Sydney Sixers in the first game of the season. Credit: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Perth Scorchers will be looking to start their Big Bash League title defence like they finished last season - with a win over Sydney Sixers.

The Scorchers will host the grand final rematch at Optus Stadium in the first BBL game at the venue in more than a year on December 17, starting at 4.05pm.

Scorchers coach Adam Voges said it was a fitting way to open the tournament and end a 374-day drought between home appearances.

“It’s not just a grand final re-match but also such a good rivalry in the history of the Big Bash,” Voges said.

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“We’ve had some great encounters against the Sixers so it’s great to open our season at home, hopefully in front of a really good crowd. I’m looking forward to it.

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“Any home game is going to be an absolute bonus after spending the season on the road last year, so to start at home is pretty exciting.”

BBL12 fixturing will return to normality after a couple of seasons interrupted by COVID border measures and outbreaks.

Perth won a record fourth title last summer, despite being the hardest hit by a lack of home games due to WA’s hard border stance.

Only one of their 14 regular-season matches and none of their two finals were able to be held at Optus Stadium, even though they finished top of the ladder and earned hosting rights for both.

This season they will have seven home games and seven away.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Jhye Richardson of the Scorchers celebrates taking the final wicket of Steve O'Keefe of the Sydney Sixers to win the Men's Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers at Marvel Stadium, on January 28, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Camera IconJhye Richardson of the Scorchers celebrates taking the final wicket of Steve O'Keefe of the Sydney Sixers to win the Men's Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers at Marvel Stadium. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Voges said the BBL had listened to some of the team’s wishes for a less travel-heavy schedule compared with previous campaigns.

“To have that regular travel pattern again, albeit getting some block travel in there from a competitive point of view, will really help us as well,” Voges said.

“Thankfully the Big Bash have listened to a couple of our wishes and we’ve got a travel schedule that’s a bit more friendly than what we’ve had in the past.”

Voges said the cancellation of Australia’s home one-day International series in mid-January would be a massive boost for the competition with gun all-rounders Mitch Marsh, Ashton Agar and paceman Jhye Richardson likely to be available for longer.

“I think to have our Australian players available for bigger chunks of the Big Bash can only be a good thing for the whole competition, but also for us as well,” he said.

All seven Optus Stadium matches will be day-night or night time slots.

The away trips include Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, Melbourne and Sydney.

The full BBL12 fixtures will be released on Thursday.

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