Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Knockout: AS vs ST Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AS vs ST Dream11 Today | Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder Preview Dream11 | Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder Key Players | AS vs ST Dream11 Prediction

The picture is clearer. Sydney Sixers took a huge step towards the BBL09 Title with a comprehensive win over Melbourne Stars on Friday, 24 hours after Hobart Hurricanes were knocked out on home turf.

So, can Sydney Thunder knock another team out on their home turf? They beat Adelaide Strikers on this ground on New Years’ Eve, but the Strikers have been strong since, despite their defeat to the Hurricanes last Sunday.

Who will hold their nerve to go on to play Melbourne Stars, who have lost four straight games themselves?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• There are some in-form batsmen from both sides in this clash, but arguably none more so than Alex Hales.
• He has scored 85. 63, 47 and 60 in his last four innings, to now sit second in the BBL09 run-scoring chart with 509.
• Also in good touch is Phil Salt. After a slow start to the season, Salt has roared into life into 67*, 13, 22, 59 and 66 in his past five innings.
• However, he scored two ducks vs Thunder during the regular season. So, can he deliver against them in the most important game?
• Jake Weatherald averages 14.25 in his past four innings. However, he scored 42 (33) and 52 (37) vs Thunder this season.
• Alex Carey has the most runs in Strikers-Thunder matches (201). However, can his key partner, Travis Head, improve on his average of 18 in six innings vs Thunder?
• Usman Khawaja is not far behind on 182 (avg. 60.67). Also, Khawaja found some welcome form last game with a half-century, along with Callum Ferguson who spent time at the crease with 33 (22).
• Jono Wells’ fine form in the middle order can hold the Strikers in good stead. He has scored 444 runs in the tournament, dismissed only six times in 13 innings. Also, he scored 55* (32) and 26 (22) vs Thunder this season.
• Daniel Sams continues to take wickets. He has gone wicketless only once in 15 games, with 27 wickets (including four in two games vs Strikers) to his name.
• Chris Morris is in a similar boat, with 18 in 13 matches, to sit equal third with Rashid Khan. Interestingly, Rashid has taken just two wickets in his past four games, with an ER of 8.27.
• Peter Siddle and Rashid have the equal most wickets in Thunder-Strikers games with nine each. Arjun Nair has eight.
• Jono Cook is coming off a man-of-the-match performance in Hobart, taking 4/21.
• Wes Agar went for 49 runs in his last game. However, his previous four games were impressive: 3/36, 2/20, 4/33, 2/15.

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Head-to-Head

• Matches 13, Strikers 6, Thunder 5, NR 2.
• It is 2-2 between these sides at Adelaide Oval, with one NR.
• Thunder beat Strikers in Adelaide on January 31. In the other game, bushfire smoke put a premature end to the match.

Possible Playing 11

Adelaide Strikers have named an unchanged 13-man squad for this match.

Adelaide Strikers: 1. Jake Weatherald, 2. Phil Salt, 3. Travis Head (c), 4. Alex Carey (wk), 5. Jono Wells, 6. Matthew Short, 7. Michael Neser, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Peter Siddle, 10. Wes Agar, 11. Billy Stanlake/Liam O’Connor/Harry Conway

Sydney Thunder have also named an unchanged 13-man squad.

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

Adelaide Oval Pitch Report and Conditions

Earlier in the season, the Adelaide track favoured the slow bowlers, with some low-scoring totals. However, scores have picked up, none-more-so than the last match on the ground, where Matt Wade plundered 130* (61) on a batting paradise.

Both Strikers and Hurricanes scored over 200. Another fine batting track can be expected in overhead conditions that should be mostly clear after the chance of morning showers in Adelaide.

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Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

An interesting match in store. Thunder have confidence from their win two nights ago, while the Strikers play in front of their passionate fans.

Strikers start the game as favourites, but don’t count the Thunder out. This could go down to the wire.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!