Sunday, November 10, 2024

CRICKET BLOG FOR THE FANS, BY THE FANS

Get your fix of cricket news, opinion, Dream11 fantasy cricket predictions, fan-led content & more.

HomeAdelaide StrikersBBL: Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder - Match Preview

BBL: Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder – Match Preview

Date:

LATEST STORIES & CRICKET BLOGS

Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey

Which way will this game go?

Despite my thoughts that both teams will likely finish outside of the top four this season, both the Strikers and Thunder possess exciting talent to keep an eye on. It is almost impossible to choose a winner, and that is the recipe for an exciting clash.

Adelaide Strikers look significantly weaker than last season, especially in the batting department, and will probably have to rely on certain players like the Sydney Thunder on the opening night. Losing the likes of Ben Dunk and Brad Hodge has left a huge hole, and they will be relying on inexperienced players to deliver a successful season. Much will depend on skipper Travis Head and international player Colin Ingram to deliver.

Adelaide’s batting must hold up to give their bowling a chance, which looks promising on paper. 19-year old Afghanistan leg spin sensation Rashid Khan has all the ability to lead Adelaide to a win tonight, and is a certain contender for top wicket taker in this year’s BBL. In a difficult year in terms of recruitment for Adelaide, Rashid Khan is a brilliant pick up. Billy Stanlake, Peter Siddle, and Ben Laughlin are three key fast bowlers that round off a pretty good Adelaide attack.

Rashid Khan will be a key player for Adelaide Strikers

Sydney Thunder, last year’s bottom placed team, have the chance to start the season with two wins. Their performance in the first game vs Sydney Sixers was filled with good and bad, and if they are to make any mark in this competition, they need to show a lot more consistency across the 40 overs. Also, it’d be good not to rely on Shane Watson so much.

Personally, I’m hoping that Callum Ferguson is fit enough to return to move Ryan Gibson out of the side. Without being too harsh on Gibson, his innings of 8 off 17 balls sucked momentum out of the Thunder’s run chase and nearly cost them the game. Again, to make a mark in the competition, you need a well-rounded side, and let go of any potential liabilities. I’m also excited to see the impact Jos Buttler can have in his second match after making a duck in the first, as well as seeing how Sydney Thunder’s attack, especially Fawad Ahmed and Mitchell McClenaghan, back up after a solid effort vs the Sixers.

Fawad Ahmed was super impressive in the first game

The fact that Sydney Thunder have had a game under their belt could be an advantage.

Key to an Adelaide Strikers win


Restricting Sydney Thunder to a low score.

Adelaide’s bowling is their strength on paper, led by Rashid Khan. He will be sure to tie up an end in addition to his ability to pick up wickets, and form excellent bowling partnerships with the fast bowlers.

Sydney Thunder’s batting looked shaky at times vs Sixers – Kurtis Patterson struggled to score quickly enough, Jos Buttler was out for a duck, and Ryan Gibson played an innings to forget. If the Strikers remove Watson early, they’ll really fancy their chances.

Adelaide have the bowlers, and Thunder have the shaky batting line up, to see wickets fall consistently.

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

If Shane Watson gets out early, who will step up?
Sydney Thunder’s batting holds the key in this game – how will they deal with Adelaide’s attack? Runs on the board is the Thunder’s best chance of winning, looking at Adelaide’s vulnerable and inexperienced batting line up. Aiden Blizzard needs to move up the order, which is representative of the aggressive mindset the Thunder need to have.
Fawad Ahmed vs. Rashid Khan – will the Thunder’s batsmen support Fawad Ahmed who was so impressive in the opening game, by nullifying Rashid Khan’s threat?
Like above, Sydney Thunder have the bowlers, and Adelaide the shaky batting, to see wickets fall consistently.
Stats & Facts:


  • In the last two games between these sides, the away side has won. In the previous meeting, Adelaide thrashed Sydney Thunder by 77 runs in Sydney.
  • Shane Watson and Ryan Gibson put on a partnership of 41 in 30 balls against Sydney Sixers. Shane Watson faced just 13 balls out of the 30, and scored 33 runs.



  • Sydney Thunder have won two of the last three matches against Adelaide Strikers.
  • Ben Dunk was the leading run scorer in the last Big Bash (364 runs). How will Adelaide go without him?
  • Shane Watson has top scored for the Thunder in 3 of their last 4 games.
  • In 78 T20 matches around the world, Rashid Khan has taken 112 wickets at an average of 15.66 and economy rate of 5.84.

Prediction

Two pretty evenly matched sides makes predicting the result very difficult. Unlike the Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades game last night, you know this one will be close. Sydney Thunder’s reliance on Shane Watson is a little worrying, as too is Adelaide’s thin looking batting line up. 
However, despite my heart picking the Thunder to win, my head suggests that they may struggle to deal with Adelaide’s attack. The Strikers to win a tight match.
—–
Thank you for reading this piece! Follow CricBlog on Twitter and Instagram.

Other posts you may like:

       
Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

Read the latest cricket stories and news on CricBlog and bet on your favorite cricket teams at 24betting India sportsbook. All new players get a welcome bonus on the first deposit.

LIVE CRICKET SCORES

FUTURE OF CRICKET