Sixers' spin bowling stocks strong despite Manenti injury

Lloyd Pope is eyeing increased opportunity in BBL|11 and while wary, said he would relish the chance to come up against a star-studded and powerful Melbourne Stars batting line-up at the MCG on Wednesday.

A stress fracture in the neck has ruled Ben Manenti, a key bit-part player during the Sydney Sixers back-to-back title runs, out for the season, with Pope to shoulder more responsibility alongside mentor Steve O'Keefe.

Manenti's injury is similar to one that saw Brisbane Heat spinner Mitchell Swepson sidelined last February, and Sixers captain Moises Henriques said it was a "big blow" to lose the Manenti for the summer.

"He's (Manenti) been fantastic for us, and I know he doesn't play every game because of how tough it is for spots, but every game he does play he does well," Henriques said.

"He's learning so much off Steve (O'Keefe), and I think they've got a terrific little partnership going. They communicate really well, and so does Lloyd.

"The three of them communicate really well when they're training together and when they get to play together out on the field, they do the same thing.

"Having Lloyd is pretty solid back up, he's been bowling really well in the nets so I'm sure he'll get an opportunity at some stage."

The flame-haired leg-spinner may be thrown into the deep end when the Sixers take on the Stars at the MCG on Wednesday, with the power-hitting trio of Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Andre Russell posing a big threat.

"I don't know if I match up too well, they're some of the best players in the world," Pope said when asked on his potential face-off with the Stars batters.

"They're really cool players to bowl against and it's a great spectacle at the MCG. I'd relish the opportunity if I get to play against those guys."

Pope is in his fourth season as a KFC BBL player, having burst onto the scene with his remarkable 8-35 against England in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, and said the past three years alongside O'Keefe had been pivotal to his development.

"He's (O'Keefe) an absolute genius," Pope said.

"He teaches me so many different things and we work together at training all the time so I can't speak highly enough of him.

"We talk a lot about the tactics of the game, that's where his biggest weapon is, I feel.

"Some of the finer things he does in terms of field placements is really helpful, especially as a leg-spinner."

The Sixers are looking to bounce back from their loss to the Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday night, however still remain at the top of the BBL ladder.

The Stars have named an unchanged line-up from their win against the Sydney Thunder, where Russell was full of praise for another young leg-spinning talent in Tanveer Sangha.

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