Basketball
AFL
Cricket
Horse Racing
NRL
Soccer
Tennis
All Sports
American Football
Baseball
Boxing
Betting Masterclass
Cycling
Entertainment
eSports
Golf
Greyhounds
Harness
Ice Hockey
Motor Sport
Novelties
Olympics
Politics
Promotions
Rugby Union
Snooker
Table Tennis
UFC / MMA
Rain robbed Sydney Sixers of a chance to cut down the Melbourne Stars’ lead at the top of the Big Bash League standings and they now face a derby neighbours Sydney Thunder at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Saturday.
The Thunder have nine points from ten matches (W4, L5, NR1), but have lost four of their last five matches. The Sixers, on the other hand, have won five of their last seven matches, losing just once.
With these two sides direct rivals for the playoff places, this match could get very interesting. The reverse fixture of the season saw the Sixers win via the ‘Super Over’.
Sydney Thunder
The Thunder need to get their batting order right, and maximize the use of their top-four batters. Captain Callum Ferguson (302 runs, SR 135.42) remains their best bet to come out as winners, while the duo of Alex Hales and Usman Khawaja have aggregated 500 runs between them.
Daniel Sams (17 wickets) continues to be absolutely smashing with his ability to take wickets, while Chris Morris (11 wickets) is also contributing significantly. However, with none of their regular bowlers conceding under eight an over, the Thunder attack has been their biggest concern.
Sydney Sixers
Depending on Josh Philippe (277 runs, SR 127.64) and Daniel Hughes (231 runs, SR 130.50) for runs hasn’t really helped the Sixers. They will need other batsmen to step up or risk seeing their playoff chances hit.
Bowling wise, the Sixers attack has stepped up since Sean Abbott was sidelined due to injuries. Tom Curran has been leading their bowling with 14 wickets, while Lloyd Pope (ten wickets, ER 7.14) continues to draw inspiration from his controlled bowling.
Match Up
The loss of points due to a rained-out match against the Hobart Hurricanes was a blow for the Sixers, because that might prove to be the difference in the race for the playoffs. The Thunder, on the other hand, have suddenly lost their momentum and are sliding down the table. The loss to the bottom-placed Melbourne Renegades was equally morale shattering. Will that loss be enough to drive them to a derby win? This could be another exciting contest between two teams desperate for points.
History & Statistics
- The Thunder have won three of four H2Hs at this venue.
- The Thunder have averaged 3.63 sixes per match (the lowest), while the Sixers have averaged 5.0 sixes per match.
- The Sixers have won nine of 12 H2Hs while chasing.
- The Sixers have won 11 of 16 H2Hs.
Key Players
As the top dogs continue to lead the show for the Thunder, one guy making steady progress behind the mayhem is Alex Ross. The middle-order bat could be the Thunder’s trump card.
Lloyd Pope continues to impress people with his ripping leg-breaks. The young spinner is making the season count and will be a handful for the Thunder batsmen if making the line-up.