Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes, BBL T20 2022, Today Match Prediction 31 December 2022

syt vs hbh Match Prediction & Analysis

Sydney Thunder are slowly making their way back in the season after a topsy-turvy start. They are currently in 5th place with 3 wins and 3 losses and a net run rate of -0.540. They will next take on Hobart Hurricanes at the Lavington Sports Oval. The Hurricanes are just one place below Thunder but they have played only 4 matches so far with 2 wins and 2 losses and a net run rate of -0.378. This is the first time this season the two teams will square off. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sydney Thunder Preview

Sydney Thunder had 1 win and 3 losses in their first 4 games. They had lost 3 in a row but have gotten their campaign back on track with 2 back-to-back wins against Brisbane Heat – by 10 wickets and 11 runs. In their previous game, they posted 182-6 on a good batting wicket at the Carrara Oval and restricted Brisbane to 171-9.

Alex Hales is currently the team’s leading scorer with 168 runs in 6 matches at a strike rate of 136.58. Rilee Rossouw has accumulated 109 runs in 5 innings so far at a good strike rate of 141.66. Opener Matthew Gilkes appears to have found his rhythm with scores of 56* off 34 balls and 37 off 35 balls in his last 2 matches.

Daniel Sams is Thunder’s highest wicket-taker with 11 scalps in 6 matches at an economy of 8.13. Gurinder Sandhu has also been consistent, taking 8 wickets in 6 matches at 7.62. Right-arm medium-fast bowler Nathan McAndrew has made an immediate impact and has taken 7 wickets in just 3 games, including a 4-for in the previous match against Brisbane. Off-spinner Chris Green's economy rate of 5.66 makes him an invaluable asset in the middle overs.

Sydney Thunder Predicted Playing XI:

Matthew Gilkes (wk), Alex Hales, Rilee Rossouw, Oliver Davies, Daniel Sams, Alex Ross, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green (c), Gurinder Sandhu, Brendan Doggett, Usman Qadir

Sydney Thunder Actual Playing XI:

RR Rossouw, Usman Qadir, Chris Green, Matthew Gilkes, Alex Hales, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Oliver Davies, Nathan McAndrew

Hobart Hurricanes Preview

Hobart Hurricanes haven’t had the best of seasons so far, but their performance in their previous game might just lift them up. After being rolled out for a paltry 122 in 18 overs against Melbourne Renegades at the Bellerive Oval, their bowlers put up a spectacular show and dismissed Renegades for just 114. It was an incredible bowling effort led by leg-spinner Shadab Khan (3-20 off 4 overs) and Riley Meredith (3-12 from 4 overs). Patrick Dooley, the team’s leading wicket-taker this season with 9 wickets, also snared two victims. These three have formed the crux of Hobart’s bowling this season and will be crucial for their chances of going ahead.

Hobart’s batting has been their weak link this season. Matthew Wade is their leading run-getter so far with 101 runs in 3 games at a strike rate of 124.69. Wade, who was suspended for one match, is expected to be back for the clash against Sydney Thunder. None of the other batters have crossed the 100-run mark yet. They have big names in their lineup like Shadab Khan, James Neesham, Tim David, Asif Ali, and D'Arcy Short who really need to step up now.

Hobart Hurricanes Predicted Playing XI:

D'Arcy Short, Ben McDermott, Matthew Wade (c & wk), Shadab Khan, Tim David, Asif Ali, James Neesham, Joel Paris, Nathan Ellis, Patrick Dooley, Riley Meredith

Hobart Hurricanes Actual Playing XI:

Timothy David, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis, Joel Paris, Caleb Jewell, Matthew Wade, Riley Meredith, Asif Ali, D'Arcy Short, James Neesham, Shadab Khan

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There’s only been one international match played at the Lavington Sports Oval in Albury. This will also be the first match of the men’s BBL that will be played here. Not much is known about the surface, but on the evidence of the one ODI and one women’s T20 match played here it does appear to be a sow surface where run-making won’t be easy.

The weather in Albury for the day of the match will be warm and clammy after a morning shower.

Venue Details

The only international match played at the Lavington Sports Oval was between England and Zimbabwe in the 1992 World Cup. There’s also been a Women’s BBL game played here where Sydney Thunder Women chased down a target of 117 versus Melbourne Stars Women in 18.5 overs with 8 wickets in hand.

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss is likely to bat second.