The Big Bash League returns on Boxing Day with a double header of action as the first Sydney derby of the season is played out when the Sydney Thunder welcome their city rivals Sydney Sixers for what should be a great contest at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Both these teams have made positive starts to their season and with some elite level players on show here we should be in for a competitive Boxing Day clash which begins minutes after the opening day of the Test match concludes.
Sydney Thunder
The season has been an up and down tale for the Sydney Thunder so far this season. They have won two matches and were emphatic winners of them against the Brisbane Heat but they came up short in both matches against the Melbourne Stars, although to be fair they should have got over the line in the first of those only to not quite get the job done in the final over. They have played a match fewer than most in the competition so if they win this one they won’t be in a terrible position.
The Thunder delivered their best performance last time out when they absolutely demolished the Brisbane Heat. They were dominant with the bat with a number of their batters going big and then when they had the ball in hand they basically had the match sewn up inside the powerplay. If there was a criticism of them then they allowed the Heat to get a load more runs than they should have done but they won by 53 runs so it is hard to be too critical.
Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers have begun their title defence in excellent touch. They have won four of their opening five matches with a blip against a dangerous Hobart Hurricanes in the middle of those. They bounced back from loss straight away with wins over the Melbourne Stars and the Adelaide Strikers and have the chance to go back to the top of the table for a few hours if they can go across the city and come out on top in this match.
The Sixers batting has looked incredibly strong this season. They have the two leading run scorers in the competition going into this match and one or two of their middle order have runs behind them as well. They could do with tightening up a little with the ball but to be fair to them they have been forced to keep making changes to their bowling attack. When they can get a settled attack on the field you would imagine they will come good in that department once again.
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Team News
As you would expect after a comprehensive win in their last match, the Sydney Thunder have named the same squad for this encounter and it would be something of a surprise if they change a dominant side unless they have any late injury or Covid issues.
Sydney Sixers have their new overseas addition Shadab Khan in the team for the first time in this Sydney Smash. He is likely to come in either for Hayden Kerr or Lloyd Pope to offer quality spin in the absence of Steve O’Keefe and Ben Manenti.
Betting
I think we’ll get runs in this Sydney Smash. The Sydney Sixers bowling attack isn’t clicking at the minute and I’m not convinced Shadab Khan will do much for it straight away. They need a settled attack before they come good. Sydney Thunder have gone around the park a couple of times this season as well. The one area where these two don’t lack is for batting firepower and depth so I’m expecting a high scoring encounter here.
The runs line for this match is 309.5 and I’m not sure that is high enough here. The wicket at the Sydney Showground is usually always a good one and the outfield here is as fast as there is in the country so there really is no reason for the runs not to flow unless one of the sides had a little too much Christmas sherry! I would expect both teams to see 160 as par here at the very least so the over looks a good thing to me.
Tips
Back Over 309.5 runs for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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