Sixers' injury woes grow as Curran jets home

Sydney Sixers paceman Tom Curran is returning home to England because of a back injury and will miss the rest of the KFC BBL season.

The enforced omission of Curran is a major blow to the table-topping Sixers' hopes of a third straight title.

It follows Ben Manenti's season-ending neck injury, while fellow spinner Stephen O'Keefe is set to miss Tuesday night's SCG clash with Adelaide Strikers because of a calf strain.

Sixers fast bowler Chris Jordan, who was part of England's Twenty20 World Cup squad, will also depart after the match against Adelaide. 

Skipper Moises Henriques insists his side's momentum won't be halted as they prepare for a critical three-game stretch in Sydney.

"We pride ourselves on being a club and a team that embraces challenges," Henriques said.

"To lose players of the calibre of Tom and Ben, and to have Steve on the sidelines, would be a challenge for any team.

"Those guys aren't simply replaced.

"But ... we always look to have 18 match-ready players in our squad.

"We also saw Ben Dwarshuis return from injury this week, Jackson Bird isn't too far away and Sean Abbott is back after the birth of his daughter, so there is no need to panic."

Manteni and O'Keefe's setbacks, coupled with the fact Nathan Lyon isn't expected to return this summer, will ensure young legspinner Lloyd Pope has ample opportunity to shine.

The Sixers top the ladder with a 3-1 record, thanks in no small part to Josh Philippe.

Philippe, the reigning player of the tournament, has plundered a league-best 259 runs.

The 24-year-old has all the makings of a three-format player for Australia, according to Sixers teammate Jordan Silk.

Silk, who was at the non-striker's end when Philippe thumped a six to finish 99 not out and seal a seven-wicket win over Melbourne Stars, is in awe of the young gun's consistency.

"The rate at which his game is growing and developing, why not ... there's not many more talented 24/25-year-olds in the country," Silk said of Philippe's prospects of playing all three formats for Australia.

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