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CLAIM NOWMatch abandoned without a ball being bowled (no toss)
WBBL 2020: Murky forecast once again likely to grab headlines
Sydney Sixers are the favourites to win the match
Tournament: WOMENS BIG BASH LEAGUE 2020 | Format: T20 | Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Toss: To Bowl
Bet NowAfter the stupendous success of the 2019-20 WBBL season, there was a lot of hype surrounding this year’s tournament, especially considering the fact that it was coming in these uncertain COVID19 times. However, the move to shift the tournament entirely to Sydney has started off on the wrong note with heavy rains dominating the two days of this season more than any player or team. The Stars have been at the receiving end considerably, enduring two washouts while the Sixers were fortunate to somehow get a game in their previous fixture, and were able to end on the right side of the result. On paper, the Sixers are a formidable unit and are a side that knows its strengths and weaknesses in and out. Stars meanwhile, are yet to settle into their best XI and the bad weather isn’t helping their cause either. Both teams will be hoping for a clear forecast as rain-shortened games often end up as a lottery which isn’t how it should be.
While getting their first win of the season would have been satisfying, the Sixers will know that they were lucky to end up on the right side of that rain-shortened game purely due to the toss. Skipper Ellyse Perry knew the forecast and opted to bowl, and a nine-over game later became a six-over chase in the second half, which obviously made things easier for an already explosive Sixers batting line-up. The bowling effort was impressive though from them as all the bowlers kept a lid on the scoring rate, even in a shortened innings. The usage of the track with smart lengths and lines were impressive.
The biggest relief for the Sixers was their skipper Perry’s return to the field after having missed the entire last season due to injury and also a long part of this year. She seemed fit and raring to go, and that’s good news for the camp. Marizanne Kapp’s new-ball burst was on-point and the South African’s form will be crucial for the Sixers, given the utility player that she is. An unchanged playing XI is expected for this contest.
A Healy(wk), E Perry(c), A Gardener, E Burns, M Kapp, D van Niekerk, A Reakes, H Silver-Holmes, L Griffith, J Hicks, S Campbell
It’s one thing losing games and another to endure washouts with very little play possible. The Stars have got free points from the two games so far but they would be disappointed for a lot of reasons. Mainly, they are a side with some new additions and would be keen to get a settled XI at the earliest. These washouts aren’t helping that cause and any professional team would want a win early in the season as opposed to splitting points. Only four overs with the ball was what they got in their last game before the rains set in for good. There are a lot of utility players in the Stars camp, but for them to go deep in the tournament, they will need strong performances from each of them. Punching above their weight is something that the side will need to do, given that they aren’t a well-balanced team despite the presence of some matchwinners in the squad. They’ll hope for better weather in their upcoming games as they look to lock their combinations and tactics for the season.
M Lanning(c), E Villani, M du Preez, N Sciver, A Sutherland, E Osborne, K Brunt, T Flintoff, N Faltum(wk), S Day, H Ferling
Another rainy weekend is forecast in Sydney with heavy showers and thunderstorms in the radar. The pitches at the Sydney Showground Stadium have been on the slower side usually with some help for the bowlers. Batsmen, if smart in their shot-selection, have also been able to succeed. A sporting surface overall.
The Sydney Showground Stadium is one of Australia’s iconic sports venues. It’s been a host to the Olympics and has conducted multiple sports at the ground. As a result, drop-in pitches are used for cricket, which means that we are unlikely to see much of natural variations on the surfaces
With rain and more rain around, captains would want to bowl to avoid the uncertainty of a shortened innings when it comes to setting targets. Knowing the score helps in such cases.
Still early days but going by the stability factor, Sixers look a settled bunch with all their departments potentially sorted. They might not have got a lot of game time yet but they do seem a strong outfit, especially with Perry also back in the mix. The Stars will need a bit of time to get going, and at this juncture, don’t seem like a side that might not click as a team. Therefore, the Sixers are strong favourites to emerge victorious in this fixture.
Sydney Sixers are the favourites to win the match
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