The Big Bash League heads back to Sydney on Tuesday as the defending champions Sydney Sixers continue their title defence when they welcome the Adelaide Strikers to the Sydney Cricket Ground for the latest match of the tournament.
The Sixers saw the Scorchers replace them at the top of the table on Monday and will be looking to regain that position here. The Strikers sit in the middle of the standings but they have the chance to move third with a win here.
Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers have won three of their opening four matches this season and are underway in fine fashion as they seek a third title in a row. You wouldn’t be able to say they have been flawless but they have played very well in the three matches they have won. They were found wanting in the one they lost, especially with the ball, but in this format of the game someone can get hot against you and there isn’t a lot you can do about it and that’s what happened.
In the main Sydney have batted well and in Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques they have two of the leading scorers in the tournament. Their bowlers haven’t been as strong but they have had a few issues with their attack at different times so they can probably be cut some slack in that department. It is usually one of the strengths of their game so it would be a surprise if that side of things don’t click into gear when everything settles down.
Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers have only played three matches so far this season, winning one of them and losing two. They probably should have won both of their opening two matches but faltered in the final over of the first one. They were then soundly beaten by the Perth Scorchers last time out, although that doesn’t look a terrible result right now by any means. That match was 10 days ago so they have had plenty of time to take stock of what they are doing right and wrong and look to make the necessary adjustments.
The big issue they have is their batting is just too light and it doesn’t matter how long they have off they can’t rectify that because that is the result of their two best batters being away with Australia. They aren’t coming back anytime soon so the Strikers look a little like sitting ducks with the bat. They have a strong bowling unit but there is only so much they can do if they are given little to defend or if their batters can’t chase down what they are set.
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Team News
The Sydney Sixers will be without Tom Curran, Ben Manenti and Stephen O’Keefe for this match as they are all out injured. Nick Winter, Todd Murphy and Lawrence Neil-Smith have been added to the squad while Sean Abbott returns from paternity absence.
Adelaide Strikers will be without Alex Carey and Travis Head as they remain away with the Test squad but they do have Matt Renshaw back from Australia A duty. Spencer Johnson has been added to the squad as well.
Betting
In the three seasons since the Big Bash League became home and away in the first stage these two sides have played six times and the Sydney Sixers have won them all. Five of those wins have been very comfortable as well and I expect this one to be no different. The Sixers look like they are capable of outscoring any side in the competition and although their bowling hasn’t been up to scratch this season, they face a very weak looking Strikers batting unit here.
Admittedly the Strikers have a decent bowling attack but there are so many players in good form or the Sixers with the bat that you would expect two of three of them to get going and if they do they can put up massive totals. The handicap for this match is only 2.5 wickets or 9.5 runs. All three Sydney wins this season have covered that line while Adelaide have just lost to Perth by 48 runs. I expect Sydney to win and cover here.
Tips
Back Sydney Sixers (-2.5 wickets/9.5 runs) to beat Adelaide Strikers for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Bet365
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