Round 6 is almost here, with the Sydney Sixers on the double, thrusting them into relevance. We’ve taken a look at all the predicted Round 6 sides, listing unavailabilities.
Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat
Monday 5 January 2026, 7:15pm local time / AEDT
Coffs Harbour International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
Sydney Sixers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Sam Curran (ILT20), Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, Todd Murphy (Test squad)
No changes
The Sixers have had a good rest between games, but are coming off an important win over the Melbourne Renegades that kept them in touch with the finals. It’s hard to see any need for changes, although Ben Manenti was used sparingly and could be vulnerable, especially if conditions aren’t spin friendly. Kane Richardson is a chance to come in for him, or Hayden Kerr but he’s been solid lately, conceding only 7 runs in the 20th last game.
Predicted line-up
- D.Hughes
- Babar Azam
- J.Philippe (wk)
- M.Henriques (c)
- J.Silk
- J.Edwards
- B.Dwarshuis
- J.Davies
- B.Manenti
- H.Kerr
- S.Abbott
Brisbane Heat
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser (Test squad), Callum Vidler (stress fracture), Spencer Johnson (back), Tom Alsop (knee), Shaheen Shah Afridi (knee)
No changes
The Heat will be feeling good after their come-from-behind win over the Stars last Friday, so it’s unlikely they’ll feel the need to make too many changes.
- C.Munro
- J.Wildermuth
- N.McSweeney (c)
- M.Renshaw
- M.Bryant
- H.Weibgen
- J.Peirson (wk)
- X.Bartlett
- M.Kuhnemann
- T.Balkin
- O.Patterson
Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder
Tuesday 6 January 2026, 6:45pm local time / 7:15pm AEDT
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Adelaide Strikers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Travis Head, Alex Carey (Test squad)
Ins: Hassan Ali / Outs: T.Shamsi
The Strikers tried to spin to win in Perth but couldn’t find a way with the bat, which will leave them disappointed and looking for answers in their batting ranks. That’s the likely area for change, although there’s no obvious solutions. Discarded middle-order bat Thomas Kelly is an option to consider.
They’ve also now got a dilemma with their three overseas players, with spinner Tabraiz Shamsi’s arrival squeezing out Pakistani quick Hassan Ali, which seemed harsh. Adelaide have confirmed Ali’s return to the squad at Shamsi’s expense, despite his 3fa.
Predicted line-up
- M.Short (c)
- C.Lynn
- M.Harvey (wk)
- J.Sangha
- L.Scott
- H.Manenti
- J.Overton
- J.Wadia
- L.Wood
- Hassan Ali
- L.Pope
Sydney Thunder
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Lockie Ferguson (injury/ILT20), Ravi Ashwin (knee), Shadab Khan (Pakistan T20Is)
Likely Ins: D.Willey / Likely Outs: Shadab Khan
The Thunder are bottom of the table with a 1-5 record and they’re getting desperate. David Warner’s heroics weren’t enough last game, with their bowlers unable to defend 205.
Shadab Khan is out away on Pakistan duty for 3 games, with David Willey set to link up with the side and take his spot. Ryan Hadley might be worth a try, with Nathan McAndrew at threat, along with Tom Andrews and Wes Agar.
Predicted line-up
- M.Gilkes
- D.Warner (c)
- S.Konstas
- S.Billings (wk)
- N.Maddinson
- D.Sams
- C.Green
- D.Willey
- N.McAndrew
- T.Andrews
- W.Agar
Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades
Wednesday 7 January 2026, 4:15pm local time / 7:15pm AEDT
Optus Stadium, Perth
Perth Scorchers
Not 100%: Matt Kelly (injury), Finn Allen (finger), Laurie Evans (hamstring)
Unavailable: Josh Inglis, Lance Morris (back), Ashton Agar (calf)
Likely Ins: D.Payne, J.Richardson, C.Rocchiccioli, L.Evans / Likely Outs: B.Couch, M.Beardman, A.Agar, J.Curtis
Perth has 3 in a row and are coasting, but they’ve got a handful of injury concerns and availability updates. If Finn Allen and Laurie Evans are fit and available, they play, putting Joel Curtis and Sam Fanning at risk. Perth said Evans’ hamstring strain is only minor, so he’s a chance to come in for Curtis and take the gloves. There’s no timeline yet on Allen. Ashton Agar is out, having gone for scans following calf awareness. That opens the door for fellow spinner Corey Rocchiccioli to play, plus more Cooper Connolly overs.
Brody Couch’s spot in the side is no longer safe either, unable to make impact with the ball lately, alongside some fielding errors. That’s not timely for him with English left-armer David Payne potentially available after competing in the ILT20 Final on Sunday, while Jhye Richardson has been released from the Test squad. Matt Kelly is back to fitness too, providing another option.
Predicted line-up
- S.Fanning
- M.Marsh
- C.Connolly
- A.Hardie
- A.Turner (c)
- L.Evans (wk)
- N.Hobson
- J.Paris
- J.Richardson
- C.Rocchiccioli
- D.Payne
Melbourne Renegades
Not 100%: Adam Zampa (neck), Tom Rogers (shoulder)
Unavailable: Nathan Lyon (hamstring), Brendan Doggett (Test squad), Will Salzmann (hamstring), Ollie Peake (U19 World Cup)
Likely Ins: C.Jewell / Likely Outs: O.Peake
The ‘Gades breathed life into their season with their win over the Stars on Sunday. They could be bolstered by spinner Adam Zampa and key fast bowler Tom Rogers for this game too, so monitor updates on their fitness. Matthew Spoors is vulnerable, although Adelaide’s success with spin in Perth might mean he plays against his former side.
Young gun Ollie Peake is set to exit for the U19 World Cup where he’ll captain Australia, opening up a spot in the middle order for either Harry Dixon or unused recruit Caleb Jewell.
Predicted line-up
- J.Brown
- T.Seifert
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- J.Fraser-McGurk
- C.Jewell
- Hassan Khan
- W.Sutherland (c)
- M.Spoors
- C.Stow
- G.Sandhu
- J.Behrendorff
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers
Thursday 8 January 2026, 7:15pm local time / AEDT
MCG, Melbourne
Melbourne Stars
Not 100%: Joe Clarke (hip)
Unavailable: Scott Boland (Test squad), Mark Steketee (hamstring)
No changes
The Stars have lost 2 in a row, opening up a few cracks for the early title favourites. Joe Clarke’s fitness will be a factor. If available, he’ll slot in for Tom Rogers at the top with Blake Macdonald impressing in his role. Execution rather than personnel changes seem key for the Stars.
Predicted line-up
- T.Rogers
- S.Harper (wk)
- C.Kellaway
- B.Macdonald
- M.Stoinis (c)
- G.Maxwell
- H.Cartwright
- T.Curran
- M.Swepson
- Haris Rauf
- P.Siddle
Sydney Sixers
Not 100%: None
Unavailable: Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, Todd Murphy (Test squad)
Likely Ins: S.Curran / Likely Outs: B.Manenti
Game 1 performance will dictate selection, but English all-rounder Sam Curran will be available after completing his ILT20 duties and will slot into the side, bowling 4 overs and batting middle order. He’s coming off an exceptional ILT20, where he batted 4 for Desert Vipers. Keep an eye out for a release from the Test squad for spinner Todd Murphy too, which could squeeze out Hayden Kerr with Curran bowling death.
Predicted line-up
- D.Hughes
- Babar Azam
- J.Philippe (wk)
- M.Henriques (c)
- J.Silk
- S.Curran
- J.Edwards
- B.Dwarshuis
- J.Davies
- H.Kerr
- S.Abbott
