The Big Bash League continues this Tuesday night as the Sydney Thunder host the Adelaide Strikers at Manuka Oval from 7.15pm (AEDT). It should be a cracking contest with both clubs aiming to get their campaigns underway with a win and as always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below!
BBL14 Thunder vs Strikers Betting Tips
Manuka Oval, Tuesday 17th December, 7.15pm (AEDT)
Sydney Thunder
The Thunder will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing BBL13 campaign in which they finished dead last on the table with just one win from 10 games. They had a busy off-season in an attempt to revamp their line-up, but the most notable addition will come from within as David Warner is set to captain the Thunder and play every game of the season.
In addition, the Thunder also garnered the signatures of Nic Maddinson, Sam Billings, Wes Agar, Lockie Ferguson and Sherfane Rutherford. They’ll also be hoping to get some natural progression from younger core in the likes of Tanveer Sangha, Jason Sangha and Sam Konstas.
Predicted XI: David Warner, Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Sherfane Rutherford, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Wes Agar, Lockie Ferguson, Tanveer Sangha
Adelaide Strikers
After finishing fourth last season and being knocked out in the 2nd round of playoffs, the Strikers will be looking to take the next step this season. They have made the finals in four of the last five BBL seasons without tasing the ultimate success, and have largely backed the same core as last year to get the job done.
In saying that, they did have a slight shuffle of their international players, bringing in Jordan Buckingham and Ollie Pope from England and also signing on Fabian Allen from the West Indies and Alex Ross from the Thunder.
Predicted XI: Matt Short, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Jake Weatherald, Jamie Overton, Harry Nielsen, Fabian Allen, Brendon Doggett, Henry Thornton, Jordan Buckingham, Cameron Boyce
Prediction
I think the Strikers could feature prominently in the back end of the season when the key duo of Alex Carey and Travis Head come back into the fold. Even without them, their batting looks incredibly strong with the in-form Matt Short and Chris Lynn at the top. Their bowling has often lacked star power but over the years they have always found a way to get the job done.
On the contrary, I think the Thunder batting line-up looks a little thin this season. Konstas is largely unproven and Cameron Bancroft has been terribly out of form lately. A lot will rely on Warner at the top, which is troubling given he hasn’t played a game of cricket since the T20 WC in June. Think the Strikers should be too strong here.
Strikers H2H
$1.98 (2 Units)
Player Prop
David Warner has only played one game against the Strikers in the past, scoring 13 runs. More interestingly, in his four games at Manuka Oval he averages just 15.8. Combine those two stats with the fact that he hasn’t played cricket in a long time and I like the look of his unders here.
Warner Under 24.5 Runs
$1.87
