The first Sydney Smash of BBL09 was finished in a super over victory for the Sixers, in on of the greatest games in the history of the Big Bash. Tom Curran led the way with 2/23, 35 off 17 with the bat to force the game to a super over and he also successfully defended 16 in the super over. Both teams come into this fixture in frustrating ways as the Thunder became the first side to lose to the Renegades this season, on Wednesday night in Canberra. The Sixers were washed out at the SCG on Thursday night against the Hurricanes after just 6.4 overs, the washout continued a frustrating week for the Sixers who were smashed by the Stars on Sunday. The clash has major finals implications for both sides, if results go their way, the Thunder could be sitting in fourth. For the Sixers, a win would keep them at least a game clear in second place.
The Thunder have kept an unchanged squad from their loss against the Renegades in their last outing. The Sixers have made two changes to their squad from the washout on Thursday, with Nathan Lyon and Mickey Edwards coming in for Ben Manenti and Henry Thorton. Lyon’s inclusion brings an interesting selection dilemma for the Sixers. The Sixers have three spinners in the squad and with Lloyd Pope having a breakout campaign this season, it looks likely that Steven O’Keefe will miss out for the Sixers.
Sydney Thunder Squad (13): Callum Ferguson (C), Liam Bowe, Jonathan Cook, Brendan Doggett, Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Jay Lenton, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Morris, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu
Sydney Sixers Squad (13): Moises Henriques (c), Justin Avendano, Jackson Bird, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Mickey Edwards, Dan Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Steve O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince
BBL09 Thunder vs Sixers Betting Tips
Sydney Thunder
fThis is a must win game for the Thunder who are sitting sixth on the table, they have well and truly fell out of the form they had at the beginning of the season. The Thunder have just one win from their last matches. A loss for the Thunder will put a big dent in their finals aspirations. The top three of Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson dominated the begging of the season, however the trio have only registered one half-century between them in the last five games. Led by the league’s leading wicket taker Daniel Sams (17 wickets) and Chris Morris (11 wickets), the Thunder’s bowling has been solid. For the Thunder to be any chance of making the finals, they need their top three to fire.
Whilst the Thunder’s top three have been poor in recent games, Alex Ross has picked up the scraps and put together a very solid campaign. Ross has 217 runs at an average of 43.40, with a strike rate of 137.34. Ross has scores of 40, 8*, 0*, 32* and 51. His last two innings have been sensational with his 32* of 22 guiding the Thunder home against the Hurricanes and his remarkable 51 off just 27 deliveries nearly dragging the Thunder to a miraculous victory against the Renegades. Ross was solid against the Sixers back in December scoring 26 of 22 balls. With the Thunder’s top order low on form, Ross will need to step up again in a crucial match for the Thunder. Ross provides excellent value to be the Thunder’s leading run scorer.
Ross Top Thunder Batsman
$6.00
Sydney Sixers
The Sixers have had a frustrating week that has stalled their momentum. After being on a six game win streak, the Sixers were beaten convincingly by the Stars and then had a washout in a game the were favoured to in against the struggling Hurricanes. With the Stars sitting five points clear on top the Sixers, Scorchers, Strikers and Heat will be battling it out to finish second and get the double chance. A win for the Sixers will keep the Sixers at least a game clear in second depending other results, the Sixers will also be looking to get their net run rate back up after it fell into the negatives after the loss to the Stars. Given how close position two through to six is on the table, net run rate will crucial in the final make-up of the table.
Daniel Hughes has been an incredible performer in the Sydney smash over the years. Hughes holds the record for the most runs in matches between the two Sydney sides with 373 runs. For the Sixers in matches against the Thunder Hughes has scored 311 runs at an average of 77.75, with a strike rate of 123.41. In his last five matches against the Thunder Hughes has scores of 37, 41*, 13, 66* and 29. Hughes has been solid this season as the Sixers second highest run scorer with 231 runs at an average of 25.66 with a strike rate of 130.50. Hughes has dominated the Thunder across the years and will be looking to continue that superb form to help the Sixers hold onto second place on the BBL table.
Hughes Top Sixers Batsman
$3.60
Prediction
A crucial game in the make-up of the BBL table at the business end of the season for two sides who have had their early momentum stalled. A win keeps the Sixers in second whilst a win for the Thunder could see them jump up to fourth, however a loss could see them three points outside the top five by Sunday. These two sides completely contrast in style. The Sixers success this season has been built on an even spread by all players with bat and ball, they don’t just rely on one or two players, they get contributions from everyone. Whereas the Thunder have lacked depth, relying on their top four with the bat as well as Sams and Morris with the ball. They’ve lacked contributions from their other five players. The Sixers have been consistently getting the job done this season and across the board they have too much talent for the Thunder to handle, the Sixers will get back on the winners list and beat the Thunder for the second time this season.
