Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Eliminator: HH vs ST Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | HH vs ST Dream11 | Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder Preview Dream11 | Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder Key Players | HH vs ST Dream11 Prediction Today

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So, here we are. After six weeks and 56 games, five teams remain as the BBL09 playoffs are set to get underway.

Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder are two sides who looked unlikely to reach this stage. Thanks to the Heat and Scorchers finishing poorly, both teams qualified with more losses than wins.

But, the Hurricanes are arguably the competition’s form team right now. Hampered by international duty and injuries to key players, they looked down-and-out with three games remaining. After all, it is only two weeks ago that they were rolled for 98 by the Scorchers in Hobart.

Now, they look a different side. Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short have elevated the Hurricanes to another level, and if they continue their strong form, all teams better watch out.

It was less than a week ago since the Thunder were thrashed on this very ground by 54 runs. So, perfect revenge for the men in green will be to knock the Hurricanes out and progress to a meeting with the Strikers on Saturday.

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Matthew Wade is in outstanding form. He is coming off the second-highest individual score in BBL history (130* off 61 balls).
• He plundered 56 (34) last week vs Thunder. His last three scores read: 66 (29), 56 (34) and 130* (61).
• D’Arcy Short has also hit the ground running since his return, with both bat and ball. Wade will be sure to give Short a bowl, given he took five wickets vs Thunder last week.
• Mac Wright wasn’t needed last game vs Strikers. However, his form has been superb since coming back into the team: 70* (50) and 64 (45). His 64 came against the Thunder on this ground.
• Alex Hales is also one of the form batsmen in the competition. He scored 63 (42) vs Hurricanes last week, part of 327 runs in his past eight innings at an average of 46.27.
• Also, Hales finished equal second with 449 runs in the BBL09 regular season.
• Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson have not had the best run of form. Khawaja has 192 runs in his past 10 knocks at 19.20. Ferguson has 179 runs at 22.34.
• This will be George Bailey’s last ever home game in BBL. His record against the Thunder is brilliant (315 runs at 78.75). Also, he scored 43 (30) and 29 (10) against Thunder this season.
• Daniel Sams finished with the most wickets in the BBL09 regular season (25). Also, he took 4/34 vs Hurricanes on this ground last week.
• Chris Morris is also key to Thunder’s hopes. He has taken 15 wickets in 12 BBL matches. He can hold his own with the bat, despite a poor season, as evident in his 10 runs off two balls to win the last game.
• Nathan Ellis has been one of the biggest positives of the Hurricanes’ season. He is their go-to-guy at the death – Ellis has taken five wickets in his last four games, all in the death overs.
• Also, Scott Boland has been a big positive for Hurricanes. He has taken 14 wickets in nine BBL09 games, going wicketless just once.

Head-to-Head

• Matches 12, Hurricanes 8, Thunder 4.
• Hurricanes have dominated Thunder at Blundstone Arena: Six wins in seven meetings.
• Hurricanes smashed Thunder on this ground by 54 runs last Friday.

Key to a Hobart Hurricanes win

Matthew Wade’s form has driven the Hurricanes to new heights in recent games. With the Wade-Short partnership rekindled at the top, the Hurricanes will be looking for these two to set the strongest of platforms, just as they did last time out in Adelaide.

Also, the Hurricanes’ bowling has held up well in recent games. The loss of Riley Meredith earlier in the season could have been fatal, but Scott Boland and Nathan Ellis have dug deep to keep the Hurricanes alive. If they can get through the Thunder top three, particularly Alex Hales, the Hurricanes will be on their way.

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

The wickets of Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short are the biggest priority. While the Hurricanes have capable players in their middle order, the Thunder can put them under pressure in a knockout game if they can break the opening stand early.

However, they need more from Usman Khawaja and Callim Ferguson. Their numbers in the second half of the season have not been worthy of their respective abilities, so it’s up to them, along with Hales, to match or beat Hurricanes’ top three.

Possible Playing 11

Simon Milenko returns to the Hurricanes’ 13-man squad, replacing David Miller, who has left for national duty. George Bailey, in his final game at home, against a team he enjoys playing, could be elevated to four.

Hobart Hurricanes: 1. Matthew Wade (c), 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Mac Wright, 4. George Bailey, 5. Ben McDermott (wk), 6. Simon Milenko, 7. James Faulkner, 8. Clive Rose, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Qais Ahmad, 11. Scott Boland

Brendan Doggett comes into the Thunder 13-man squad for Gurinder Sandhu.

Sydney Thunder: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Callum Ferguson (c), 4. Alex Ross, 5. Jay Lenton (wk), 6. Chris Morris, 7. Daniel Sams, 8. Arjun Nair, 9. Brendan Doggett, 10. Chris Tremain, 11. Jono Cook/Liam Bowe

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Blundstone Arena Hobart Pitch Report and Conditions

Hot and sunny conditions is the forecast for Hobart on Thursday. In terms of the pitch, it has played quite nicely throughout the tournament, with an average first-innings score of 179.75. Expect a true track here.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

With the return of key players, Hobart Hurricanes are now a key team to watch in BBL09. They were too good for Thunder a week ago, and one feels they will be good enough again.

However, it could ultimately depend on how Wade and Short perform. If the Thunder can bowl well, they are right in with a chance.

Thanks for reading!

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