A severe weather warning has impacted the BBL15 season opener, leading to an evacuation at Optus Stadium in Perth. Lightning and a storm forced players, staff, and fans to leave the seating area for safety. Originally scheduled to begin at 7:15 PM AEDT, the match has been delayed, needing to start by 9:20 PM. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and large hailstones in the area.
Evacuation Due to Severe Weather
The announcement on the stadium’s big screen advised everyone to seek shelter due to approaching lightning. Both teams, the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers, could not complete their warm-ups before leaving the field. A severe thunderstorm warning remains active for the greater Perth area, with the storm expected to hit around 4 PM local time or 7 PM AEDT.
Potential Batting Order Changes
In the lead-up to the opener, the Sixers are contemplating a batting order adjustment. Star opener Josh Philippe, who ranks as the franchise’s best with 2,187 runs, may shift down to No. 3. Captain Moises Henriques expressed a desire for Philippe to face more overs of spin bowling this season. He stated the change aims to maximize Philippe’s contributions, particularly given the new Powerplay rules.
Josh Philippe’s Form and Strategy
Philippe ended the previous campaign strong, but has struggled recently. The team’s dynamics now include competition for the top order with players like Daniel Hughes and Pakistani star Babar Azam. Henriques emphasized the need for Philippe to adjust to the reduced opening overs to optimize his performance against spin bowlers.
Player Insights
Finn Allen, a New Zealand international, is slotted in as an opener for the Scorchers. He aims to improve after facing challenges last season at Perth Stadium. Allen indicated he has refined his technique to enhance his performance. “If you can score runs at Optus then you can probably score runs anywhere,” he remarked.
Squad Details
The teams for the BBL15 opener are as follows:
| Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers |
|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Ashton Agar |
| Moises Henriques (C) | Finn Allen |
| Josh Philippe (WK) | Mahli Beardman |
| Daniel Hughes | Cooper Connolly |
| Hayden Kerr | Brody Couch |
| Ben Dwarshuis | Joel Curtis (WK) |
| Etc. | Etc. |
The BBL season opener is keenly anticipated, with live coverage available on El-Balad. Updates will continue as events unfold.
