Greg Shipperd Slams BBL Finals Scheduling After Sixers' Grand Final Defeat to Perth Scorchers

Sydney Sixers head coach Greg Shipperd has launched a scathing critique of the Big Bash League's finals scheduling, revealing his team had no opportunity to train before their grand final defeat to the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium.

The Scorchers claimed their sixth BBL title with a comprehensive six-wicket victory on Sunday, chasing down the Sixers' modest total of 132 with 15 balls remaining in front of a crowd of 55,018 fans.

Exhausting Travel Schedule Takes Its Toll

The Sixers' path to the grand final was marred by a grueling travel itinerary that saw them crisscross the country in just eight days. The team flew from Brisbane to Perth, then to Sydney, and back to Perth again during the finals period.

The schedule was particularly punishing in the final week:

• Tuesday: Lost the Qualifier to Scorchers in Perth
• Friday night: Defeated Hobart Hurricanes in the Challenger in Sydney
• Saturday afternoon: Flew back to Perth
• Sunday: Grand final at Optus Stadium

"It wasn't ideal. Some of the scheduling was not what we were looking for. You don't get a chance to train the day before the game, which I would have thought not many other sports are letting that happen at this elite level."

— Greg Shipperd

Captain Henriques Skips Press Conference Amid Fatigue Concerns

The toll of the demanding schedule was evident when Sixers captain Moises Henriques opted to skip a planned joint press conference with Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner on the Saturday afternoon before the final. The decision highlighted just how concerned the Sixers camp was about energy conservation heading into the title decider.

On-Field Performance Reflects Off-Field Struggles

The Sixers' fatigue was apparent from the first ball of the grand final. The team was bowled out for just 132, a total that proved woefully inadequate as the Scorchers raced to 80 without loss by the ninth over, cruising to victory with ease.

Shipperd Calls for Cricket Australia to Act

The experienced coach revealed that the Sixers had already provided feedback to Cricket Australia earlier in the season regarding scheduling concerns, and suggested other franchises had not been as proactive.

"We'll feed some feedback back to headquarters. I think we were the only team that provided feedback to Cricket Australia. So I don't know whether other teams are lazy in that respect or we were thinking that we were going to be playing finals, and so we were worrying about that sort of thing."

— Greg Shipperd

Monday Final Could Have Been the Solution

With Australia Day falling on Monday, Shipperd suggested that pushing the grand final back by a day could have given his team the recovery time they desperately needed.

"If it was a holiday, yes, we could have played on Monday and given our team that sort of break to freshen up going into the game. But that's not a major excuse for us in the context of the season."

— Greg Shipperd

Rain Controversy Adds to Sixers' Frustrations

Beyond the scheduling issues, Shipperd also questioned the decision to continue play during heavy rain in the fourth over of the Scorchers' innings.

"We thought that there was an opportunity to come off. The umpires, I think, may have set a benchmark down in Hobart where they played through blinding rain. They probably played that same card tonight, when there may have been a possibility to come off and just reset, let the ground settle down in terms of the wetness of the ball."

— Greg Shipperd

Steven Smith Weighs In on Rain Decision

Australian cricket star Steven Smith, providing commentary on Seven's broadcast, was equally critical of the decision to continue play in the wet conditions.

"There's no way we should be playing cricket in this. I've never played when it's been raining this hard. It's pouring."

— Steven Smith

Perth Scorchers Cement Dynasty Status

While the Sixers grapple with what might have been, the Perth Scorchers can celebrate yet another BBL triumph. The six-wicket victory, powered by strong performances from their pace attack, cements their status as the most successful franchise in Big Bash League history with six titles.

Looking Ahead: Will the BBL Address Scheduling Concerns?

Shipperd's candid comments put the spotlight firmly on Cricket Australia and the BBL's scheduling practices. As the tournament continues to grow in stature and competitiveness, ensuring teams have adequate preparation time before knockout matches will be crucial to maintaining the integrity of the competition.

Whether the governing body acts on the Sixers' feedback remains to be seen, but Shipperd has made it clear that his franchise will continue to advocate for player welfare and fair scheduling in future seasons.