Sydney Sixers players spotted at the Grosvenor Hotel in East Perth.
Sydney Sixers players were seen enjoying drinks at a pub in Perth after they missed a scheduled press conference ahead of the Big Bash League (BBL) final. The incident has raised eyebrows as the team cited a demanding travel schedule as the reason for their absence from the traditional media commitment.
An image obtained by The Sunday Times shows several Sixers players, including Australian cricket star Steve Smith and Ben Manenti, at the Grosvenor Hotel’s beer garden in East Perth. The team arrived in Perth on Saturday afternoon, March 2, 2024, a day before the final against the Perth Scorchers.
Club captain Moises Henriques did not attend the press conference alongside Scorchers captain Ashton Turner and the BBL trophy, sparking questions about the team’s priorities. A spokesperson for the Sydney Sixers explained that their absence was due to the need for recovery following a heavy travel load.
“Given the significant travel load, and 48-hour turnaround from The Challenger to The Final, preparation plans have evolved with an increased focus on player recovery,” the spokesperson stated.
Upon landing in Perth, the players reportedly visited a recovery lab before heading to the pub. While it remains unclear whether Henriques joined his teammates at the Grosvenor Hotel, it is not unusual for other players to represent the captain at pre-final media events.
The Sixers secured their place in the final by defeating the Hobart Hurricanes on Friday night, March 1, 2024, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The team had previously faced the Scorchers in Perth on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, which added to their travel fatigue.
Despite the challenges of travel, Turner downplayed any potential negative impact on performance. “That time spent travelling can be frustrating and tiring, but to be honest, unless you are one of the players who has a niggle and is touch-and-go to be match fit to perform… once the game starts, adrenaline kicks in. I don’t think it has as big an impact on performance as you’d think,” he said.
The Scorchers trained at Optus Stadium on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in front of more than 1,100 fans, reinforcing their readiness for the final match. As the BBL final approaches, the attention now shifts to how both teams will perform despite the demanding schedules leading up to the championship.
