Sydney Sixers * vs Sydney Thunder, Big Bash League 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 22 Jan 2021

sys vs syt Match Prediction & Analysis

Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder have consistently been the best teams of BBL 10 and have remained in the top 3 almost throughout the season. Sydney Sixers have, in fact, firmly cemented their place as the No.1 side of this edition and are sitting pretty at the top with 32 points in 11 matches at a net run rate of +0.554. They have won 4 of their last 5 matches and look like an unstoppable force at the moment. They will be taking on Sydney Thunder next, who they have already beaten once this season. Sydney Thunder has slipped a bit recently and is on a 3-match losing spree. Things will only get tougher for them as face the best team of the tournament. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sydney Sixers * Preview

Sydney Sixers are coming off a solid 7-wicket win against Perth Scorchers where they chased down a target of 164 with 7 wickets and 7 balls to spare. The hero of the match for the Sixers was again opener Josh Philippe who struck a brilliant 84 off 52 balls. 

Philippe is now the leading run-getter of the season with 421 runs and has been the backbone of this side along with captain Daniel Hughes (282 runs) and James Vince (255 runs). Vince too was in great touch in the previous game and hit a terrific 52 off 35 balls. These three have been the batting mainstays of the team and that has given the lower order not many chances. Daniel Christian would hence be itching to make a smashing impact with the bat soon as he has done a few times this season.

The Sixers have many dependable performers in their bowling unit too, starting with Steve OKeefe who has 14 wickets now in the season. Then there’s all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite (13 wickets) who’s been fantastic and Christian (12 wickets) has done a really job in the middle too.

Sydney Sixers * Predicted Playing XI:

Josh Philippe (wk), Justin Avendano, James Vince, Daniel Hughes (c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Steve OKeefe, Jackson Bird, Jake Ball, Lloyd Pope

Sydney Sixers * Actual Playing XI:

James Vince, Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, Lloyd Pope, Steve O'Keefe, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Jackson Bird, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, DT Christian

Sydney Thunder Preview

Sydney Thunder was fighting for the top spot not too long ago and remained at the second position in the table for a while. However, 3 defeats in a row have kind of deflated their momentum and they will really need to get back to winning ways soon as time is fast running out. They are coming off a disheartening 6-wicket loss against Hobart Hurricanes where they lost the game even after posting a healthy 177-5 on the board.

Sydney Thunder’s batting has primarily revolved around openers Alex Hales (352 runs) and Usman Khawaja (268 runs) along with skipper Callum Ferguson (270 runs). Their lower order hasn’t fired as much as they would have liked although the 50 off 34 balls from Sam Billings in the last game does keep them in good stead.

As for the bowling, Tanveer Sangha with 18 wickets has been the main star, although he too was pretty expensive in the previous match. The likes of Nathan McAndrew (13 wickets), Chris Green (12 wickets), and Daniel Sams (10 wickets) have been good but all of them have to be on the top of their game against a strong side like Sydney Sixers.

Sydney Thunder Predicted Playing XI:

Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Sam Billings (wk), Daniel Sams, Oliver Davies, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Adam Milne, Tanveer Sangha

Sydney Thunder Actual Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Ben Cutting, Sam Billings, Brendan Doggett, Christopher Green, Adam Milne, Usman Khawaja, Oliver Davies, Callum Ferguson, Tanveer Sangha, Nathan John McAndrew

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Adelaide Oval generally stays even throughout and always has something in it for the batsmen and the bowlers. Batsmen will have a better time in general as the bounce remains even here but seamers should enjoy the carry and movement from the surface too.

The weather at Adelaide for the day of the match is expected to be clear and pleasant and we should have an uninterrupted game.
 

Venue Details

The highest total at the Adelaide Oval so far this season has been the 178-4 by the Melbourne Renegades. The average total batting first on this venue in the last few years has remained around the 170 range and the team batting first will be targeting something in excess of that to feel safe.

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss is likely to bat second as chasing has yielded better results on this venue.