The second ‘Sydney Smash’ of the Big Bash League season could scarcely be more important as the Sixers host the Thunder in a huge match for both sides at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The sold out signs are expected to go up as the Sydney Sixers look for the huge win they need to give themselves the faintest squeak of a chance to make the semi-finals. The Thunder are in a better position to qualify but the chances are they will miss out too with a defeat so this match is massive.
Sydney Sixers’ realistic chance of progressing probably came to an end when they failed to beat the Brisbane Heat in their last match but an amazing run of results have kept them in the mix even though they have only won two of their seven matches to date.
Injuries haven’t helped the Sixers at any stage this season but things are starting to look up in that area for them. Brad Haddin played the previous match and Nic Maddinson will return for this one so their batting looks much stronger. Trent Lawford is back in the squad to bolster the bowling as well.
It looked like the Sydney Thunder were going to dominate this tournament when they won their opening three matches but since then four matches have come and gone with defeat in all of them and suddenly they find themselves having to win this match to have any realistic chance of qualifying.
Injuries and international call ups are suddenly going against the Thunder too. Andre Russell suffered an injury in the defeat to the Renegades and although he’s in the squad here he didn’t look in a good way after that injury. Jacques Kallis went lame in that match and he’s out while Usman Khawaja is away with Australia. Henry Nicholls joins the squad for the first time.
Everything is on the line in this match but even though the Thunder have plenty of power in their batting line up I can’t be going near them at odds on. Although Watson and Russell are expected to play it has been Khawaja and Hussey who have done the baulk of the run scoring this term and Khawaja’s absence could be massive.
I expect the Sixers to be much stronger in this match than against the Heat. Nic Maddinson strengthens their batting beyond belief and Lawford should give control with the ball when it is needed.
I’m expecting a turning wicket in this match even with the rain that has been around and in that case I would back Nathan Lyon and Johan Botha to cause real problems to the Thunder.
I think momentum is everything in this format of the game and while it would be pushing it somewhat to say either side have any of it, I think the Sixers might have a bit more given that injuries have been the reason for their demise rather than poor performances.
We’ve seen in seasons gone by that when the Thunder have been in a slump they have found it hard to get out of it and we’ve seen that in their last four matches. At the price and with the freedom of having to win I’ll side with the Sydney Sixers here.
Back Sydney Sixers to beat Sydney Thunder for a 4/10 stake at 2.40 with Betway
