Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder, Big Bash League 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 02 Feb 2019

ss vs syt Match Prediction & Analysis

Hosts Sydney Sixers will be looking to secure their place in the top-four when they take on city-rivals Sydney Thunder in 49th game of Big Bash League in Sydney on Saturday.

After 12 matches played, Sixers have 14 points to their name and a win against Sydney Thunder will help secure their place in the playoffs of the competition. Sixers have shown excellent form with bat and ball and produced three consecutive wins in a row in the competition.

After 12 matches played, Sydney Thunder have 11 points to their name and a defeat here will see them packing as they will have no chance of qualifying for the playoffs. In their previous game, Thunder suffered a 27-run defeat at the hands of Melbourne Renegades.

Earlier this season, Sydney Thunder beat city-rivals Sydney Sixers in a game played at Sydney Showground Stadium.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sydney Sixers Preview

The franchise seems to be peaking at the right time with three back-to-back victories in the competition. In their previous game, Sixers comfortably brushed aside Adelaide Striker courtesy of splendid performances from Ben Dwarshuis, Daniel Hughes and captain Moises Henriques.

Sixers will be looking to maintain consistency with the bat and ball in the remaining games of the competition. The big plus for Sixers was Captain Moises Henriques finding form with the bat. He chipped in with unbeaten 61 runs to see Sixers cruise to a comfortable win.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Daniel Hughes, Josh Philippe and Jordan Silk to do the bulk of the scoring. Hughes came good with the bat in the previous game and scored 51 off 44 balls with the help of eight boundaries. Left-hander is so far franchise leading run-scorer with 294 runs in 12 matches at an average of 26.72.

Overseas player James Vince also has smashed two half-centuries in the last three games played in the competition. He is certainly a dangerous batsman in this format and can easily win games for Sixers on his own. In the previous game, Ben Dwarshuis was the standout performer with the ball. He picked up three wickets in the game against Adelaide Strikers.

In the bowling department, the likes of Sean Abbott, Steve O’Keefe and Tom Curran will need to produce breakthroughs for the side in this game. Pace bowler Sean Abbott is currently franchise’s leading wicket-taker with 18 wickets in 12 matches.

Sydney Sixers Predicted Playing XI:

Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Josh Philippe, James Vince, Jack Edwards, Jordan Silk, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Steve O’Keefe, Ben Manenti, Tom Curran.

Sydney Sixers Actual Playing XI:

Steve O'Keefe, Jack Edwards, B Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Tom Curran, James Vince, Jordan Silk, Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, Sean Abbott, Lloyd Pope

Sydney Thunder Preview

The franchise will need to win their remaining two games of the competition in order to keep their hopes alive of qualifying to the next round. Shane Watson-led unit has lost their way in last couple of matches and will need to regroup in order to have a chance of make it through to the playoffs of the competition.

The side will certainly towards their in-form players like Callum Ferguson and Shane Watson to deliver something special with the bat. Ferguson is currently leading-run scorer for the franchise with 369 runs in 12 matches at an average of 33.54. The middle-order consisting of Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha and Anton Devcich has suffered from a lean run. Sangha has shown his ability with the bat and will need to raise his game in order for Sydney Thunder to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Wicket-keeper Baxter Holt was the top-scorer for the side in the previous game played against Melbourne Renegades. In his first appearance for Sydney Thunder, Holt scored 37 off 28 with the help of three sixes. The inclusion of Holt has certainly been a positive plus for the side ahead of their much-awaited clash against Sydney Sixers. All-rounder Anton Devcich has endured a poor run with the bat and ball. He will be keen to hoping to contribute with good performances to end his season on a good note.

In the bowling department, Leg-spinner Jonathan Cook and Daniel Sams have done well as a combination with the new-ball for the side. Sams is certainly leading the way in the bowling charts for Thunder this season with 15 wickets at an average of 19.66. Chris Green and Fawad Ahmad also have been excellent in the middle phase of the innings.

Sydney Thunder Predicted Playing XI:

Shane Watson (c), Baxter Holt, Jason Sangha, Joe Root, Daniel Sams, Callum Ferguson, Chris Green, Fawad Ahmad, Jonathan Cook, Anton Devcich, Chris Jordan.

Sydney Thunder Actual Playing XI:

Jason Sangha, Christopher Green, SR Watson, Jonathan Cook, Baxter J Holt, Anton Devcich, Fawad Ahmed, Callum Ferguson, Chris Jordan, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu

Weather Conditions

The surface has played quite well in recent games played in the competition. The weather forecast for the game on Saturday will be partly cloudy.

Venue

The surface at Sydney Ground Cricket provides assistance for the spinners. Sixers have won their last three games in the competition played at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would like to put runs on the board. Sixers have won their last two games by chasing down scores against Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers.