The Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers are both undefeated at this early stage of BBL13, but one team will lose their unblemished record when the pair face off on Friday night at the SCG.
The Sixers are on course for another title tilt, but the loss of English import Tom Curran to suspension will even up the playing field for this one.
Josh Nevett provides his full match preview and betting tips below.
BBL13 Sixers vs Strikers Betting Tips
SCG, Friday 22nd December, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers train is well and truly rolling after consecutive victories to start BBL13.
The men in magenta have defeated the Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes in tight encounters, strengthening their title credentials in the process.
Daniel Hughes was the hero last time out, anchoring the innings with 60* off 50 deliveries as the Sixers chased Hobart’s 135 with four balls remaining.
Tom Curran was the other standout, taking 3/19 with the ball. In a shock development, Curran will not be available for Friday’s match after copping a four-match suspension for intimidating an umpire.
The Sixers will contest the ban, but the result of that challenge will not be known until the weekend at the earliest.
As such, a reshuffle of the XI will be required. Jack Edwards has the ability to take on greater responsibility with the ball, but the batting stocks look thin. Without the addition of a specialist batsman, Sean Abbott would be forced to bat at seven, which is almost certainly too high.
Predicted XI: Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Jack Edwards, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Todd Murphy, Steve O’Keefe, Jackson Bird
Adelaide Strikers
Adelaide launched their campaign in fine style on Wednesday night, beating the Thunder by six wickets in a high scoring encounter at Adelaide Oval.
English recruit Jamie Overton made an instant impact, taking 2/29 in an impressive bowling display, before both Matt and D’Arcy Short hit half centuries in pursuit of 200.
Matt Short’s 82 off 41 was an extension of his brilliant form last season, and it’s clear that he will be a key player yet again in BBL13.
Strikers fans will also be buoyed by D’Arcy Short’s 66 – the powerful left-hander has been below his best in recent seasons, but a change of scenery might be well the tonic to resurrect his career.
I’m expecting an unchanged XI for this match, especially considering Adelaide are travelling with a squad of just 13.
Predicted XI: Matt Short, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Jake Weatherald, Adam Hose, Jamie Overton, James Bazley, Harry Nielsen, Wes Agar, David Payne, Cameron Boyce
Match Prediction
The Sixers are favourites, and it’s not hard to see why. Sydney have won both their games so far, and will enjoy playing in front of a home crowd on Friday.
Furthermore, the Strikers have not won at the SCG since 2017.
However, I’m not confident in Sydney’s depleted batting group, and I believe the Strikers have a much more balanced XI on paper for this one. For that reason, I’m backing the underdogs.
Adelaide Strikers to Win
$2.15 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
Short was at his brilliant best on Wednesday with 82 and it’s clear that his confidence is sky high after a stint with the national team. I’m backing him to have a big tournament, so more runs are on the cards on Friday.
Henriques has hit 40 and 20 this campaign, and he will be forced to take on plenty of responsibility throughout this campaign due to Sydney’s lack of big-name batsmen.
Payne has the ability to swing the ball at the top, and I fancy his chances to take some wickets against the inconsistent Sixers top order.
Player to Score 15+ Runs – Matt Short
Player to Score 15+ Runs – Moises Henriques
To Take a Wicket – David Payne
