Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers, Big Bash League 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 10 Dec 2020

hbh vs sys Match Prediction & Analysis

Hobart Hurricanes would take on the Sydney Sixers to start proceedings for the 10th season of the Big Bash League. The Hurricanes who lost out in the Eliminator last season would be looking to make a positive start to the season among for their first title win. For the defending champions Sydney Sixers it will be all about making a positive start to the season as they look to defend their title. 

The Sydney Sixers haven’t had a great record against the Hurricanes in the past and had lost the only game between the two sides last season but they have roped in good players to the squad and would look for an impressive show. The Hurricanes would draw inspiration from the good record they have against the Sixers and given it is the first game of the tournament we expect to see good fireworks all around.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Hobart Hurricanes Preview

D'Arcy Short would lead the side in absence of Matthew Wade who is on national duty. He leads a very strong side in this contest and the only thing worrying him would be his bowling attack which has not complemented the good show their batsmen put up always. He would expect a good start to the season from his bowlers as they take on a team against whom they have enjoyed good record in the past. 

The side has a strong opening combination in Colin Ingram and D'Arcy Short and both these players have done well for the side. They would need to put up a good opening stand here in this game. The middle order is packed with good players in Peter Handscomb, Jake Doran, Ben McDermott and Will Jakes. James Faulkner with his hitting abilities makes this batting line-up dominant. 

It is with the ball that the side would need to make improvements. Faulkner and Nathan Ellis would have to get them the initial breakthroughs in this game. Scott Bolland will look to bowl tight spells in the middle overs. With Sandeep Lamichhane, Short and Riley Meredith in the bowling setup the side would count its chances in this game. 

Hobart Hurricanes Predicted Playing XI:

D'Arcy Short (c), Colin Ingram, Peter Handscomb, Will Jakes, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Sandeep Lamichhane, Scott Boland, Ben McDermott (wk), Riley Meredith

Hobart Hurricanes Actual Playing XI:

Riley Meredith, Colin Ingram, Scott Boland, Nathan Ellis, Tim David, Will Jacks, Mac Wright, D'Arcy Short, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Johan Botha

Sydney Sixers Preview

Skipper Moises Henriques would look to begin his side’s title defence in style. They have retained the core group of players from the last season and the captain would be looking for a good show from them here. They don’t have the best of records against the Hurricanes and the captain would be looking to change that in this game. 

Batting looks strong at the top with Josh Philippe and James Vince opening the batting for the side and the pair had done well last season. In the middle order the side is happy to have the likes of Henriques, Jack Edwards, Daniel Hughes and Jordan Silk who can score quick runs in the game. Carlos Brathwaite and Christian add to the strength of the side in this game. 

Bowling line-up looks good even though the side would miss some of its key bowlers who are due for selection into the Test squad. Jackson Bird and Daniel Christian will need to do well with the new ball in this game. Ben Dwarshuis, Steve O’Keefe and Brathwaite add strength to this bowling attack. Henriques who has bowled well in recent games would add to the side’s confidence.

Sydney Sixers Predicted Playing XI:

Moises Henriques (c), Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve O’Keefe, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Jackson Bird, Jack Edwards

Sydney Sixers Actual Playing XI:

Jack Edwards, James Vince, Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, Steve O'Keefe, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Jordan Silk, Gurinder Sandhu, DT Christian, Benjamin Manenti

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Hobart would be partially cloudy on December 10 and the batting conditions won’t be easy. The pitch is expected to be a flat one as we had seen in the previous season and batsmen aren’t likely to see much surprise from the surface. The side batting first here would have a target score of around 180 runs in mind.

Venue Details

Bellerive Oval, Hobart is a small venue around the square and there is plenty of hitting opportunities for the batsmen around this area. Fast bowlers have enjoyed bowling on this surface as there is bounce and carry for them. It is a tough venue for the spinners as mishits can easily go outside the boundary rope.

Toss: To Bat

In the five games played at this venue last season the team batting first went on to win four games. Being a small ground there are plenty of scoring opportunities for the batsmen here and chasing big totals creates pressure on the side batting second. Hence, the side that wins the loss is likely to opt for batting first at this venue.