Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers, BBL T20 2021, Today Match Prediction 23 January 2022

syt vs ads Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the knockout game in the Big Bash League 2021-22, and we shall see the Sydney Thunder taking on the Adelaide Strikers. Sydney Thunder had led a good campaign and finished third winning their last game against the Melbourne Renegades. The Adelaide Strikers come here with a win against the Hobart Hurricanes in the Eliminator game. 

The Adelaide Strikers have been on a roll in the recent games and come here with five consecutive wins. However, the side has lost both the games it had played against Sydney Thunder, and they would look forward to a better show in this game. The stakes would be high for both teams and we expect to see a good contest. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sydney Thunder Preview

Usman Khawaja is back leading the side and he would be happy with the 1-run win against the Melbourne Renegades in the last game. The side desperately needed this win before the playoffs. He would expect to see better efforts from his middle order and bowlers in this game. The Thunder skipper would draw confidence from having defeated the Strikers in both the league games. 

Alex Hales has been in tremendous form leading to this game and he would look to set up a big stand with Khawaja who played a good knock in the last game. It was a rare failure from their middle order in the last game and runs would be expected here from Jason Sangha, Alex Ross, and Daniel Sams. Matthew Gilkes and Ben Cutting and good hitters of the ball down the order and the side would expect runs from them. 

Their bowlers have struggled in the last few games and the side would need tight spells and early wickets from Nathan McAndrew and Gurinder Sandhu. Tanveer Sangha has had a great tournament and he would be tasked with keeping a check on the run rate with Chris Green and Sams. Cutting and Jason Sangha add depth to their bowling. 

Sydney Thunder Predicted Playing XI:

Usman Khawaja (c), Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes (wk), Jason Sangha, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Gurinder Sandhu, Tanveer Sangha

Sydney Thunder Actual Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Jason Sangha, Christopher Green, Matthew Gilkes, Ben Cutting, Alex Ross, Tanveer Sangha, Daniel Sams, Usman Khawaja, Gurinder Sandhu, Nathan McAndrew

Adelaide Strikers Preview

It has been one of the most spectacular turnarounds for the Strikers this season. From the bottom of the points table now they have become one of the title contenders with their great form. It was a great show by the side in the Eliminator game against the Hobart Hurricanes which they won by 22 runs. Peter Siddle would like his side to carry the form forward and do well in this game. 

Matthew Short and Alex Cary looked in great form in the last game and a similar show would be expected from them. The middle-order is also looking strong for the side with Travis Head, Ian Cockbain, and Matt Renshaw in the side. They have good hitters of the ball down the order in Jonathan Wells, Thomas Kelly, and Henry Thornton in the side and they would have to deliver the goods in this important game. 

Matthew Short and Harry Conway would need to grab early wickets as the Thunder are a powerhouse at the top. Siddle would be high on confidence after his good show in the last game and he would have an important role to play in the middle overs with Fawad Ahmed, Head, and Henry Thornton. It will be an acid test for their bowlers and the captain shall have to lead from the front. 

Adelaide Strikers Predicted Playing XI:

Peter Siddle (c), Alex Carey (wk), Matthew Short, Ian Cockbain, Travis Head, Jonathan Wells, Matt Renshaw, Thomas Kelly, Henry Thornton, Harry Conway, Fawad Ahmed

Adelaide Strikers Actual Playing XI:

Thomas Kelly, Peter Siddle, Ian Cockbain, Harry Conway, Matt Short, Henry Thornton, Travis Head, Jonathan Wells, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey, Fawad Ahmed

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be cloudy skies over Melbourne on January 23. The wicket is expected to be slow and batsmen would have to watch out for the odd ball that can stop on them. Bowlers are likely to enjoy the conditions here and the side batting first would be happy with a score of 160 runs in this big game.

Venue Details

Melbourne Cricket Ground has a good surface for batting, but the pitch has been on the slower side this season. Fast bowlers have generated good movement from the surface and enjoyed success. The large size of the ground also makes it a good hunting venue for the spinners.

Toss: To Bowl

It is a high-pressure contest and hence both sides would aim to play safe. Most teams have won games at this venue by chasing scores and we have seen several low-scoring games here. Hence, the side winning the toss in this game would have no hesitation in bowling first.