The Sydney Sixers' coach, Greg Shipperd, has voiced his concerns over the demanding schedule of the BBL finals, which he believes has left his team at a disadvantage. The Sixers faced a grueling travel itinerary, flying to Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and back to Perth within just eight days, with two matches in three days and a lengthy flight between them. This hectic schedule, coupled with the lack of training time, has raised questions about the fairness of the competition.
Shipperd highlights the impact of this demanding schedule on the team's performance, particularly in the grand final against the Perth Scorchers. The Sixers' captain, Moises Henriques, was so concerned that he missed a planned press conference with his Scorchers counterpart, Ashton Turner. The Sixers' performance in the grand final reflected the strain, as they were bowled out for 132, allowing the Scorchers to reach 80 without loss by the ninth over.
Shipperd argues that the scheduling of the finals is not ideal, especially at the elite level of cricket. He points out that other sports typically provide more time for preparation and training before such crucial matches. The coach plans to provide feedback to Cricket Australia, suggesting that the Sixers were the only team to do so earlier in the season. He proposes a potential solution: playing the grand final on a public holiday, such as Australia Day, which would have given the team a much-needed break.
Additionally, Shipperd questions the decision to continue play during the fourth over of the Scorchers' innings when the rain intensified. He believes the umpires could have paused the game, allowing the ground to dry and the ball to become less wet. The TV coverage of the match also came under scrutiny from Steven Smith, who criticized the decision to play in such challenging conditions.
This controversial scheduling has sparked discussions about the balance between the demands of the sport and the well-being of the players. The Sixers' coach emphasizes the need for a more considerate approach to scheduling, especially for teams facing such intense travel and competition schedules.
