Sydney Sixers captain Steve Smith is confident his charges possess the mettle to overcome Perth’s stifling heat, a hostile crowd, a bouncy WACA wicket and an in-form Scorchers line-up in Saturday night’s Twenty20 Big Bash final.
The Sixers received a shock on Thursday when they traded Sydney’s 27C mildness for the 42C pain of Perth.
Another 42C scorcher is being forecast for Saturday’s sold-out final, where Perth will attempt to break an eight-year title drought for West Australian cricket.
But Smith said neither the weather nor the Scorchers’ talent-laden line-up held any fears for the Sixers.
“Obviously it’s pretty hot out here at the moment but we’ve played a lot of cricket overseas in India and those sort of places, so it’s probably nothing compared to what it is over there,” Smith said on Friday.
The Sixers will be banking on the pace and swing of international quicks Brett Lee and Mitchell Starc to rip through Perth’s in-form batting line-up and, in particular, the opening pairing of Marcus North and Herschelle Gibbs.
Gibbs is averaging 50.33 this tournament after striking four half-centuries from his six knocks, while a rejuvenated North has compiled 251 runs at an average of 41.83.
North admits he’s surprised even himself at how well he’s gone and revealed his good form with the bat was helping him cope with the hectic job of being captain.
“It’s certainly more enjoyable, and you feel the pressure’s off when you’re contributing,” North said.
“Captaining in this format is pretty crazy.
“It’s pretty full on and intense.
“There’s been plenty of games this tournament where I’ve sat down at the end of it and been completely exhausted, and it takes two or three hours to wind down to go to bed that night.
“We’ve got a great bunch of guys, we’ve gelled together and are playing some really good cricket.
“So this tournament has certainly been up there with some of the most enjoyable cricket I’ve been able to captain.”
Although the Scorchers have already qualified for the lucrative Champions League, North said WA cricket was long overdue for some silverware.
“The last final we won was back in 2003-04 up at the Gabba with the one-day title so there haven’t been too many opportunities for us to play in finals, let alone win some,” North said.
“The guys who’ve been involved in that era of cricket are certainly motivated for tomorrow to do well for WA cricket.
“Even though this isn’t under the Warriors brand, we’re representing WA cricket and Perth.
“So to have some success and win a title would certainly make the players very proud but also reward the faith and the support that we’ve had from the WA cricket public.”
North said he was confident paceman Nathan Rimmington would overcome the pain of a broken hand to take his place in the final.
