Huge blow for Sydney Sixers ahead of BBL 2025-26! Sean Abbott RULED OUT of...
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The Sydney Sixers have stumbled upon a massive blow ahead of the start of the Big Bash League season 15, as the highest wicket-taker in the history of the BBL, Sean Abbott, has been ruled out owing to a hamstring injury.
Sean Abbott is one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the Big Bash League. He has played for the Sydney Sixers for most of his career.
He made his debut in the BBL back in 2011 and has played in 124 matches, with 175 scalps; he is the highest wicket-taker in the history of the tournament. Averaging 20.17, he will be missed by the Sixers in the BBL opener this season.
Sydney Sixers star ruled out of BBL opener with hamstring injury
Sean Abbott last played for New South Wales and sustained a hamstring injury during the Sheffield Shield game, which ruled him out of the First Ashes Test as well. He returned to some training recently, but the BBL, which begins on Sunday, is too soon for him to participate.
“No (he won’t play),” Greg Shipperd told 91.3 Sport FM. “He did a hamstring in our Shield game, along with Josh Hazlewood, a couple of rounds ago.
“He’s working his way through that. It gives our wider base an opportunity to start the season, and obviously Sean comes in and complements our attack at that time,” as reported by Honeyball.
JUST IN: A big blow for the Sydney Sixers with the leading wicket-taker in BBL history OUT of the #BBL15 season opener with a hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/AgdCuqBu9r
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 13, 2025
He also informed that alongside Abbott, Yorkshire young leg-spinner Jafer Chohan will also not be available for the Sixers opener.
“He’s not coming on the trip with us for this game,” Shipperd said. “He’s just a fantastic young bowler. Compliments our other spinners in the side, Davies, Murphy and Manenti,” said the coach.
Sydney Sixers pick local player as Abbott's replacement for BBL opener
The Sixers have replaced the injured pacer with one of their local players. One of the locals, named Charlie Stobo, has been named as a replacement player for the BBL opener of the season.
Welcome, Charlie Stobo 🩷
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) December 13, 2025
The local quick comes in as a Replacement Player for Sean Abbott, who will miss the match with a hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/aB2t4VthH5
Other than this, Greg Shipperd also clarified the role of the all-rounder Jack Edwards in the upcoming season, suggesting that he could be slotted in anywhere between no. 3 and no. 7.
It might be a role like Tim David, lower in the order, where he comes in to bash the ball down the order and play a role in finishing the innings, or it might also be a Mitchell Owen-type role, where he comes at the top and hands the Sydney Sixers a promising start with a crack-open innings.
Greg Shipperd informed of the changes in the squad
Shipperd went on to confirm that other than Sean Abbott, they will also not have Jackson Bird since he has joined the Hobart Hurricanes, and hence Mitch Perry might be their new pacer in the side.
“He’s going to get opportunity this year. That’ll be up front. He’s been bowling beautifully in Shield cricket and one-day cricket. We think he’s going to be a terrific player for us for a long time, starting out in this first game,” confirmed Shipperd.
He also pointed out that though several of the senior players in the side have been contributing with runs, the standout among them was Josh Philippe. His 89 off 20 balls was pretty exciting to witness in the warm-up game.
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