Sydney Sixers have appointed former Australia white-ball allrounder and current Punjab Kings (PBKS) bowling coach James Hopes as their new BBL coach.

Hopes, 47, replaces former coach Greg Shipperd on a two-year deal after the veteran coach was sacked halfway through his two-year deal despite leading Sixers to the BBL final in January. Fellow PBKS assistant coach Brad Haddin had already been appointed in place of Shipperd as coach of New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup teams.

The Sixers role will be Hopes’ first as a head coach, but he has a long resume of experience as a bowling coach in the IPL, BBL and MLC as well as working with Queensland and most recently Tasmania in Australia’s domestic system.

Hopes played 84 ODIs and 12 T20Is for Australia and also captained Queensland to Shield and One-Day titles during a stellar 16-year first-class career.

Hopes played all his BBL cricket with Brisbane Heat across the first six seasons of the BBL but was excited to join Sixers as head coach. “I’m incredibly honoured to join the Sydney Sixers, a club with a proud history and a strong identity built on consistency, competitiveness and connection with its fans,” he said. “I’m excited to work with a talented playing group and contribute to the next phase of the Sixers’ success in the BBL.”

Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said Hopes’ depth of coaching experience in T20 franchise cricket made him a valuable acquisition.

“James is an exceptional cricket mind with a proven track record of developing players and building high‑performing environments,” Haynes said. “His depth of experience across Australian domestic cricket and international franchise competitions makes him an outstanding fit for the Sixers. We’re pleased to welcome him into the club as we enter an exciting new chapter.”

Sydney Thunder are now the only BBL club without a coach for next season and are understood to be continuing their search after parting ways with Trevor Bayliss. Melbourne Renegades lost their WBBL coach Simon Helmot despite having two years to run on his contract as he is set to undertake a new role in an overseas franchise league.