There is another double header in the Big Bash League on Sunday and the opening match of the two comes from the Adelaide Oval, where the usual home team Adelaide Strikers are actually the away side for this contest when they go up against the Sydney Thunder.
The Thunder are looking good for a place in the finals and one win from their last two outings will secure that. The Strikers sit outside the top five and probably need to win both their matches if they are going to extend their campaign.
Sydney Thunder
Usually you wouldn’t want to play a home match on the opposition home ground but given how well the Sydney Thunder played here in their last match they are probably delighted with the chance to get stuck in at this venue once again. On that occasion they batted with true brutality and you sense there is a confidence in their batting that allows them to play with freedom at the top and if it comes off the rest of them can all follow.
If Sydney Thunder are going to win this tournament then you would imagine they are going to need to tighten up with the ball. It didn’t matter in the previous match as they had put a decent score on the board but the last thing they need in a knockout game is their bowling to be exposed when they are defending a score. The positive thing is all of their batsmen have contributed to their success thus far so even if one or two don’t come off they should be ok.
Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers go into this match off the back of their most emphatic win of their campaign. That was a very good effort considering it came immediately after their worst performance of the season. I guess in many ways those two matches highlighted the inconsistency that has dogged the Strikers this season and that is something which will need to be rectified if they are a) going to make the finals and b) go deep in them.
The encouraging thing for the Strikers in that previous match was that their batting line-up looked much better and balanced and if they can build on that effort it will give them not just a chance of winning this match but also the confidence to go deep in this competition. Their bowlers are generally on point although it is fair to say they will face a big test here given the form the Thunder batsmen look like they are in.
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Team News
The Sydney Thunder haven’t named their squad for this match yet but we know that Daniel Sams will be missing for them. After a win as emphatic as the one they have just had you would think they will be unchanged for this match.
The Adelaide Strikers have named an unchanged squad from the one which delivered such an easy win over the Brisbane Heat last time out. They are expected to go in with the same XI with Travis Head and Michael Neser now back in.
Betting
I think the Sydney Thunder will win this match but they look a little bit short to me when you think they will have to regress to the mean in terms of their performance and that although they are at home they are playing on a ground where their opponents are very familiar. I also have doubts over the Thunder bowling attack when it comes to defending a par or slightly above score. That makes me head to the side markets where one really stands out.
The bet I like comes in the form of over 11.5 sixes. Both teams batted very strongly on this ground in their last matches and I’m not surprised by that. Sydney Thunder have plenty of confidence in their batting and having Travis Head back gave the Strikers the boost they needed with the willow too. Both these attacks offer little in the way of extreme mystery so that will also give the batsmen confidence. We know how short these square boundaries are and I expect them to get peppered again here.
Tips
Back Over 11.5 sixes for a 3/10 stake at 1.80 with Coral
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