Sydney Sixers have suffered a major blow ahead of the start of Big Bash League Season 15, as Sean Abbott, the highest wicket-taker in BBL history, has been ruled out with 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 BBL debut in 2011 and played 124 matches, taking 175 wickets; He is the highest wicket taker in the history of the tournament. At an average of 20.17, the Sixers will miss him 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 suffered a hamstring injury during the Sheffield Shield game, which also ruled him out of the first Ashes Test. He recently returned to some training, but it is too early to take part in the BBL starting on Sunday.
“No (he won’t play),” Greg Shipperd told 91.3 Sports FM. “He did a hamstring injury in our Shield game with Josh Hazlewood a few rounds ago.
“He’s working his way through it. It gives our wide base a chance to start the season, and obviously Shawn comes in and completes our offense at that point,” as reported by Honeyball.
Just in: Big shock for Sydney Sixers, the highest wicket-taker in BBL history is out. #bbl15 Missed the season opener with a hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/AgdCuqBu9r
– KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) 13 December 2025
He also revealed that along with Abbott, Yorkshire’s young leg spinner Jaffer Chauhan will also not be available for the Sixers’ opener.
“He’s not traveling with us for this game,” Shippard said. The coach said, “He is a brilliant young bowler. I appreciate our other spinners in the team, Davis, Murphy and Manenti.”
Sydney Sixers choose local player as Abbott’s replacement for BBL opener
Sixers have included one of their local players in the team in place of the injured fast bowler. One of the locals, named Charlie Stobo, has been named as a replacement player for the season’s BBL opener.
You’re welcome, Charlie Stobo
The local fast bowler has come in as a replacement for Sean Abbott, who will miss the match due to a hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/aB2t4VthH5
– Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) 13 December 2025
Furthermore, Greg Shipperd also clarified the role of all-rounder Jack Edwards in the upcoming season, suggesting that he could be placed anywhere between the no. 3 more no. 7.
It could be a Tim David-like role lower down the order, where he comes in to hit the ball lower down the order and play a role in finishing the innings, or it could also be a Mitchell Owen-type role, where he comes in at the top and gives the Sydney Sixers a promising start with a blistering innings.
Greg Shipperd informed about changes in the team
Shippard confirmed that apart from Sean Abbott, they will also be without Jackson Bird as he has joined Hobart Hurricanes, and hence Mitch Perry could be their new fast bowler in the team.
“He’s going to get his chance this year. He’s going to be on the move. He’s been bowling brilliantly in Shield cricket and one-day cricket. We think he’s going to be a fantastic player for us for a long time, starting with this first game,” Shippard confirmed.
He also said that although many senior players of the team were contributing runs, Josh Phillip stood out among them. His inning of 89 runs in 20 balls in the practice match was quite exciting.
Also read: England all-rounder gives ‘security’ reason for choosing PSL over IPL