Silk is looking forward to taking on the Thunder after missing the first game. He believes with the return of Australian bowlers Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird and our two new international replacements Joe Denly and Carlos Braithwaite, will bolster the Sixers' hopes of getting a win on the board.
“That always adds a lot, whether you’re 0-6 or 6 from 6, it’s always a really important game for us and one we've held a really good record of over the Thunder for the last six or seven seasons. It’s one we’re desperate to get one back on them this year and I’ve got full confidence with the few new personnel that we'll be able to get the result on Saturday night.”
“He’s [Nathan Lyon] a bit of a cult hero around Australia now so it’ll be good to have Nath [Lyon] back. [We’re] really looking forward to his expertise in the spin bowling department. It’s really exciting to have him back as well as having Jackson Bird back the last game as well.”
With the final results of matches not going the Sixers' way, Silk says the team environment remains positive, especially with four of our six losses going to the final over.
“I think the messages from Shippy [the coach], the last couple of games especially, is just to play with that extra bit of freedom and really enjoy it. We feel we’ve learnt a lot over the past six games. We’ve been really close. They were probably results that we getting last year. We were getting wins in those sort of games and it just hasn’t quite gone our way this year but I’m confident that we’ll be able to turn it around on Saturday.”
“I think even if you go to the game the other night when we need 18 off three balls and we nearly pulled it off. It can change so quickly T20 cricket. Unfortunately, it hasn't for us this year but with four games to go there’s still a lot to take out of this tournament and hopefully build some momentum going into the following few seasons.”
Silk says despite the tough losses, the team hasn’t been too far away from claiming victory.
“I don’t think there is anything we’re really missing, it’s just maybe the execution not quite been there in both forms of the game. I think with the bat and ball, and maybe some fielding we’ve let ourselves down at times too with a couple of dropped catches along the way but, I really don’t think we’ve been that far off.”
“I think if you look at our net run-rate, its’s actually not too bad for a team that’s lost six games. It’s just been little moments in games where we haven't quite nailed like losing a wicket at an awkward time in the game.”
Silk is looking forward to taking on the Thunder on home soil and can’t wait to get in front of a sell-out crowd.
“I think the derby is always a great crowd, very vocal. There’s been some really special games played here in the past. Hopefully, fingers crossed, we can get the result we’re after on Saturday.”
The men’s game is scheduled for a 7:25pm start after the women’s game at 2:30pm at the SCG.