The second Big Bash League match on New Year’s Day is the clash between the last two winners of the competition as the Perth Scorchers host the Sydney Thunder in another big match for both sides in this excellent tournament.
The Scorchers have played three matches this season with two wins and a defeat and another win here will have them looking good for the playoffs. It is three defeats on the spin for the defending champions and this match is must win if they are to keep their title defence alive.
Perth Scorchers
The Scorchers showed all of their fighting spirit in their last match in overcoming a decent looking Melbourne Renegades side. They were behind for much of the game but the knowhow of winning T20 matches came out as they hung around and eventually won off the final ball. That belief will carry them far in the tournament.
Once again the bowlers delivered the goods in Melbourne which was a third time in the tournament that has happened. They are yet to truly fire with the bat thus far but Michael Klinger’s return to form in the last game is very much a positive and it would be a surprise if this lengthy batting line up don’t go big sometime soon.
Sydney Thunder
If last year was brilliant for the Thunder this season has been the polar opposite as they have struggled badly in all three of their matches and suffered tame defeats in all three. The issue they have is they look awful with the bat, poor with the ball and absolutely wretched in the field so they need to really up their game and soon if they are to keep their season alive.
One crumb of comfort for the Thunder is that they won the title from fourth position in the table last season and if they can find back to back wins then they will be right back in the mix but going to Perth and winning is tough when you are full of confidence let alone when you are struggling in all areas of your game.
Team News
Perth will be forced into one change with Ashton Agar out of the squad having been called up to the Australian Test squad. Hilton Cartwright is in the squad but it may well be James Muirhead who replaces Agar.
Sydney Thunder could name an unchanged side for this match although Andre Russell doesn’t look at all fit so I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t take to the field. If he doesn’t Gurinder Sandhu might be the one to replace him.
Betting
This is a match that the Sydney Thunder have to win but it isn’t a match I think they will win. I expect the Perth Scorchers to be too good for them here. They are generally very good in their own conditions and their barrage of seamers love this wicket and exploit everything they can in it.
The Thunder have the arsenal with the ball to deliver the goods here but they are not batting or fielding well. The Scorchers have plenty of positive energy going forward with them in this match and that positivity can lead them to a much needed win with a little bit to spare.
Tips
WON – Back Perth Scorchers (-2.5wickets/6.5runs) for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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