Marcus North will take over as captain of the Sydney Sixers against his former team Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League T20 cricket semi-final at the SCG on Wednesday.

Former Test batsman North, who has captained both WA and the Scorchers, was named on Tuesday to lead the Sixers in the absence of previous skippers Steve Smith and Moises Henriques, both on Test squad duty in South Africa.

The Sixers are still hoping spinner Stephen O’Keefe can be passed fit to return from his dislocated shoulder, but handy part-timer tweaker North said he was prepared to bowl more overs if needed.

Former Sixers and NSW captain Simon Katich will lead the Scorchers in what could be his last game before taking up a post with AFL club Greater Western Sydney Giants.

Katich has yet to decide whether he will play cricket again beyond this season.

Both captains expect their pace attacks to play a big part in the SCG clash.

Each team can call on at least three international pacemen.