The Sydney Thunder went from rags to riches last season. Having been perennial underachievers, barely winning a match, they came through and won the title in amazing fashion and will be looking to defend the title this time around.
Stats
Last Season: Champions (4th in regular season)
Captain: Shane Watson
Overseas Players: Eoin Morgan & Andre Russell
Key Player: Andre Russell
Best Odds: 13/2 Ladbrokes
Predicted Finishing Position: 4th
Fixtures
Tuesday December 20 – Sydney Sixers (h)
Thursday December 22 – Melbourne Renegades (a)
Wednesday December 28 – Brisbane Heat (h)
Sunday January 1 – Perth Scorchers (a)
Wednesday January 4 – Melbourne Stars (h)
Sunday January 8 – Hobart Hurricanes (a)
Saturday January 14 – Sydney Sixers (a)
Wednesday January 18 – Adelaide Strikers (h)
Preview
Players In – Eoin Morgan, Jake Gibson, Nathan McAndrew, Alister McDermott
Players Out – Ahillen Beadle, Michael Hussey, Jacques Kallis, Jonte Pattison
All eyes will be on the champions to see if they can put up a decent defence of their title. If they are to make a successful defence then in the absence of some real experience after the retirements of Michael Hussey and Jacques Kallis they will need to rely on the likes of Shane Watson, Andre Russell and Clint McKay.
Watson will begin the season injured which isn’t ideal. Usman Khawaja is in the Test squad so he won’t be seen for much of the season while Eoin Morgan will depart in the New Year to captain England in India so the youngsters will need to step up and perform if the Thunder are to be in the finals this year.
Betting
One bet jumps out at me in the various markets involving the Sydney Thunder and that is in their top batsman market where Ben Rohrer looks a crazy price at 14/1. He might end up batting in the middle order but those above him are unlikely to play the whole season with Shane Watson coming back at some point and Usman Khawaja dipping in and out too.
Rohrer is a very experienced batsman and that could be vital in what will be a pretty young batting line up when Eoin Morgan disappears. He is a good finisher but if he is shoved up the order he can certainly play the longer innings and in the absence of some big players he could perform that role until Watson returns. He is no 14/1 shot that’s for sure.
I was hoping Clint McKay would be a bigger price than he is to be the top bowler but even the appearance of Andre Russell hasn’t been enough to ramp the Leicestershire man’s odds up so I will leave the top bowler market alone.
Tips
Back B.Rohrer Top Sydney Thunder Tournament Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 with Paddy Power
Back him here:
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