Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

READ: BBL09 Eliminator: Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder Dream11 January 30, 2020

The ninth BBL season reaches its 50th game. With a number of changes in the make up of the table across so many games, it now comes to a very significant game for both these sides.

And the timing is brilliant for Hobart Hurricanes. They welcome back D’Arcy Short and James Faulkner, two key players who have been key to their fortunes over the past couple of seasons. Also, they are coming off a vital win in Melbourne, and if they win this, they will remain right in the running for a playoffs spot.

Sydney Thunder, like the Hurricanes, need a boost. They have won just two of their past seven games, but if they can hit form now, anything is possible for their campaign. A win in Hobart will go a long way towards playoffs qualification with a game remaining after this.

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• D’Arcy Short’s inclusion is a huge plus for the Hurricanes. He scored a century in his last BBL innings, and scored 58 (39) in the corresponding game vs Thunder last season.
• Matthew Wade hit the most runs by a single player in the powerplay in BBL history last game (62). Also, he scored 85 (49) on this ground vs Thunder last season. A key player.
• Ben McDermott averages 45.75 in six innings vs Thunder.
• Alex Hales is enjoying a solid run of form: 20*, 26, 55, 31, 0, 85. His 55 came against the Hurricanes in a Player of the Match performance.
• Usman Khawaja, on the other hand, is not in the best form (103 runs in his last seven innings).
• Callum Ferguson is also out of form after a very strong start to the season. He has made four single-digit scores in his last five completed innings.
• Mac Wright, Player of the Match last game (70 off 50 balls), will be out for another big showing. With Short back in, Hurricanes could look to play him at three.
• Daniel Sams, as an all-round option, has been poor with the bat in BBL09. But, his bowling has been excellent, still sitting top of the pile with 20 wickets.
• Chris Morris is sitting equal sixth with 14 wickets. It is a fine effort considering he came in a few games into Thunder’s BBL09 campaign.
• James Faulkner is a crucial addition for the Hurricanes. He was seventh-highest wicket-taker last season with 18.
• Scott Boland in BBL09: 10 wickets in seven matches, avg. 20.40.

READ: BBL09 Eliminator: Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder Dream11 January 30, 2020

Head-to-Head

• Matches 11, Hurricanes 7, Thunder 4.
• Hurricanes have won five from six matches vs Thunder in Hobart.

Possible Playing 11

D’Arcy Short and James Faulkner will slot into the Hurricanes XI, likely for Jake Doran and Tom Rogers.

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

For Thunder, Chris Tremain has come into the 13-man squad for Ben Doggett. It remains to be seen if Arjun Nair bats at four again for Thunder.

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

READ: BBL09 Eliminator: Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder Dream11 January 30, 2020

Blundstone Arena Pitch Report and Conditions

The average first innings score at this ground in BBL09 is 178 in three games. The track has looked good for batting this season, and more of the same can be expected tomorrow.

Mostly cloudy conditions are forecast for throughout the day in Hobart, with minimal chance of rain.

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Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

Hobart Hurricanes have an excellent record vs Thunder at home. With Faulkner and Short back, the Hurricanes just look that extra bit stronger.

With a win behind them in the last game, they could follow it up with another here.

Thanks for reading!

READ: BBL09 Eliminator: Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder Dream11 January 30, 2020

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