Match: Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers (ST vs SS)
Date: January 13, 2021
Venue: Manuka Oval – Canberra, Australia
Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder are placed first and second on the points table, respectively, and it will be a battle of supremacy when the two face off against each other on Wednesday. The Thunder will enter the game on the back of a loss against the Perth Scorchers, but they are a strong unit and they should have no trouble bouncing back. In Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Sam Billings, Callum Ferguson and Alex Ross, the Thunder have a strong batting order while the bowling will be led by Nathan McAndrew and Adam Milne, who has plenty of experience. Brendon Doggett picked up 4 wickets in the last game, and will be a threat yet again, while the spin duo of Tanveer Sangha and Chris Green have been the X-factors.
The Sixers, on the other hand, too boast of a strong batting line-up, with players such as Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk and James Vince. Carlos Brathwaite and Daniel Christian provide depth to the side, while the bowling is dependent on Jack Bird, Steve O’ Keefe and Jake Ball.
Weather Update:
The day is likely to be warm and clear with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures will be in the mid thirties.
Pitch Report of ST vs SS:
The track here will have plenty of runs on offer, and will aid big hitting. Spinners will come into the game in the second half of the match.
Toss Prediction:
The team that will look to bat first as the track is likely to slow down as the match progresses, which will make run scoring tough.
ST Expected XI and Team News
The Sydney Thunder will be bolstered by the return of Daniel Sams, who missed the last two matches due to a concussion that he suffered.
Key players:
Alex Hales: The English cricketer is the leading run scorer for the Thunder this season, and will be eager to carry forward his form. He is an aggressive player, who is unstoppable on his day.
Ben Doggett: The fast bowler ended with figures of 4 for 22 in the last game that he played, against Perth Scorchers. Though his efforts went in vain, his performances were not overlooked and he would like to pitch in with a match winning showing here.
Predicted XI:
Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Sam Billings (wk), Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green/Daniel Sams, Adam Milne, Brendan Doggett, Tanveer Sangha
SS Expected XI and Team News
The Sydney Sixers have not made any changes to their squad that will take on Sydney Thunder. They might field the same XI.
Key Players:
Daniel Hughes: The skipper of the team bounced back to form with a fine half century in the last game. Hughes will be aware of the importance of the clash, and will be eager to lead from the front.
Josh Philippe: The young gun is the leading run scorer for the Sydney Sixers this edition. He has been touted as a player to watch out for, and will want to continue his run with the bat in hand.
Predicted XI:
Josh Philippe (wk), Jack Edwards, James Vince, Daniel Hughes (c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Steve O’ Keefe, Jackson Bird, Jake Ball, Lloyd Pope
Also Read: 7 Indian cricketers whose Test centuries never came in a losing cause
Head to head record of ST vs SS:
The two teams have played each other 17 times in the history of the Big Bash League, with Sixers having a superior record against the Thunder. Sixers have registered 11 wins thus far, while Thunder have managed to win 6 games.
MPL Fantasy Prediction for ST vs SS:
WK: Josh Philippe is the leading run scorer for his team this edition, with 273 runs in 9 innings with a strike rate of 140 and an average of over 30. He has been a consistent performer, and will be eager to get to triple digits after missing out earlier.
Batsmen: Daniel Hughes is the second highest run scorer for the Sixers, with 264 runs with two fifties, including a high score of 264. He will want to continue leading from the front. The trio of Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson and Usman Khawaja have been the key players for the Thunder in this edition, with a combined 752 runs between them in this edition of the league. They are reliable players and can change their game according to the match situation.
All-rounders: Daniel Christian and Carlos Brathwaite have been the key players for the Sixers in this edition. Christian has fired with both bat and ball, picking up 10 wickets in 8 innings along with scoring 160 runs at a strike rate of over 186. Brathwaite has picked up 11 wickets, with a best haul of 4 for 18, and can be dangerous as a finisher as well. Ben Cutting has scored 166 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of over 152 and can be more than handy with the ball in hand as well.
Bowlers: Steve O’ Keefe has picked up 10 wickets this season at an excellent economy rate of just 6.92. The conditions will suit his bowling style in the second half. Tanveer Sangha has been the X-factor in the season for the Thunder, with 15 wickets to his name, while Nathan McAndrew has picked up 11 scalps thus far.
Captain and VC: Daniel Christian and Alex Hales
Match Prediction for ST vs SS:
Both teams have danger players and it will be tough to predict who will win. However, we back Sydney Sixers as they have a slightly more experienced bowling attack.
