The Sydney Thunder will host the Adelaide Strikers in a clash that has massive ramifications for the BBL13 top four.
A win for the Strikers will keep them in the hunt, while the Thunder are playing for pride on Sunday night at Manuka Oval.
Josh Nevett provides his full match preview and betting tips below.
BBL13 Thunder vs Strikers Betting Tips
Manuka Oval, Sunday 14th December, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder have little to play for in their last two games of BBL13, with a finals berth out of reach after Friday night’s loss to the Sixers.
Despite regaining international superstar David Warner, the Thunder fell 19 runs short in pursuit of 151 at the SCG. Warner’s run-a-ball 37 counted for little in the end, as none of his teammates stood up with the bat bar opening partner Alex Hales (28 off 17 balls).
With the ball, Tanveer Sangha and Nathan McAndrew took two wickets each, complemented by Toby Gray (1/18) who didn’t look out of place on debut.
It’s been a truly torrid season for the Thunder, who have just one win to their name heading into the ninth round of matches.
Batting failures have been far too common, giving an already average bowling attack little to work with. As such, there’s plenty to think about before BBL14.
Nevertheless, a couple of wins over the next week will restore some pride.
Predicted XI: David Warner, Alex Hales, Cameron Bancroft, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ollie Davies, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Toby Gray, Gurinder Sandhu, Tanveer Sangha
Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers have come from the clouds to sit fourth on the BBL13 table after three consecutive victories, putting them in the frame for a finals appearance.
It’s now between the Strikers and Adelaide Stars for the final spot in the four, with Adelaide needing to win on Sunday to give themselves a chance.
The most recent of the three wins came against the Hurricanes, with Adelaide overcoming some personnel changes to win comfortably.
Set 168 to win after some solid work by Cameron Boyce (2/17) and Jamie Overton (2/36), the Strikers kept up with the rate thanks to Matt Short (39) before Jake Weatherald turned back the clock, marking his return to the side with a blistering 80* off 32 balls including five sixes.
That knock will do his confidence a world of good, and given the comprehensive nature of Thursday’s win, I’m expecting an unchanged XI on Sunday.
Predicted XI: Matt Short, D’Arcy Short, Jake Weatherald, Adam Hose, Thomas Kelly, Jamie Overton, Harry Nielsen, Henry Thornton, David Payne, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope
Match Prediction
The situation is simple here – the Thunder have nothing to play for while Strikers need to win to give themselves a chance to qualify for finals.
As such, Adelaide will be measurably more motivated and that alone should be enough to see them win this encounter.
While, on paper, these sides actually looked reasonably well-matched given Adelaide’s outs, I’m backing the Strikers to move one step closer to a finals berth.
Adelaide Strikers to Win
$1.73 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
Short tops the run scorers for BBL13 with 435, 101 clear of the closest challenger. The Strikers skipper has dropped below 39 just once this season, making him fantastic value to pass 20 on Sunday.
Jamie Overton has been the pick of the bowlers during his time in Adelaide, taking 13 wickets to sit second in the BBL13 wicket taker rankings. Overton has taken a wicket in 6/8 games for the Strikers.
Match Betting – Adelaide Strikers
Player to Score 20+ Runs – Matt Short
Player to Take 1+ Wickets – Jamie Overton
