Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Match 6: ST vs AS Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BBL09 Match Prediction Today | Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers Prediction Today | Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers Key Players | ST vs AS Dream11 Prediction

The second consecutive day of double-header BBL action involves the men in green once again.

Sydney Thunder play their third game in just the fifth day of BBL09. With two wins under their belt already, the scheduling now plays into their favour, with a chance now to keep the momentum going.

Similar to India vs South Africa in the 2019 World Cup, Adelaide Strikers play their first game against a side playing their third. It was a poor season for the Strikers in BBL08 after winning the Title a year earlier, so can they start the tournament off with a win?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Chris Morris is in the Thunder squad for this match, and could make his debut. His recent MSL form wasn’t too great, but he can offer the Thunder value if on his best form.
• Usman Khawaja’s axing from the Australia ODI squad left him disappointed, but he looks determined. He is coming off 66 vs Melbourne Renegades.
• Alex Hales and Callum Ferguson round up an important top three for the Thunder. Hales is also in good touch after slamming 66 (38) vs Renegades.
• Alex Carey is a player to watch in BBL09. His scores in his three games against Thunder: 44 (26), 34 (28) and 59 (40).
• Daniel Sams has been expensive, but has four wickets to his name.
• Phil Salt, who is likely to make his BBL debut, scored 406 runs at a SR of 161.11 in the 2019 Vitality T20 Blast.
• Jono Wells was one of the Strikers’ shining lights last season: 359 runs at average of 44.87.
• Rashid Khan enjoys playing the Thunder. His performances against them: 2/22, 2/21, 2/34 and 2/21. Also, Peter Siddle enjoys playing the Thunder: Seven wickets in three innings.
• Arjun Nair has taken two wickets in each of the first two games. He took 3/12 in the last meeting vs Strikers.

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Head-to-Head

• Matches: 10, Thunder: 4, Strikers: 6.
• Strikers have won four of the past five vs Thunder. The match they lost was the most recent, bowled out for 91.

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

Each of the Sydney Thunder big guns have performed with the bat so far. It was Callum Ferguson first up, followed by Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales. Can at least two of the three go big in Canberra to hold the Thunder in good stead once again?

Also, the slower nature of the Canberra pitch can suit the Thunder’s battery of spinners. Also, with Chris Morris and Daniel Sams keen on bowling the cutters, the Thunder can look to stifle the Strikers’ scoring rate with pace off the ball.

Key to an Adelaide Strikers win

The Strikers really struggled to take wickets in BBL08. Teams are now more cautious against Rashid Khan, which puts onus on his bowling teammates to build more pressure so he can pounce. With the likes of Harry Conway, Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake in the pace department, can the Strikers dismantle the Thunder top order?

Also, how will Alex Carey go? Picked up as an excellent value-for-money buy by Delhi Capitals in the IPL, Carey has the ability to score rapidly through beautiful cricket shots. He has a good record against the Thunder, and needs to set the tone for a team that also includes the experience of Phil Salt, Cameron White and Jono Wells.

Possible Playing 11

Chris Morris is in the 13-man squad for the Thunder. He could replace Nathan McAndrew, despite McAndrew’s honest efforts so far in BBL09.

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

Adelaide Strikers could field three club debutants. Phil Salt, Cameron White and Harry Conway are all named in the 13-man squad.

Adelaide Strikers: 1. Alex Carey (c & wk), 2. Jake Weatherald, 3. Phil Salt, 4. Cameron White, 5. Jono Wells, 6. Matthew Short, 7. Cameron Valente, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Peter Siddle, 10. Harry Conway, 11. Billy Stanlake

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Pitch and Conditions

Very hot conditions are forecast for Canberra (maximum of 41 degrees). Also, there is expected to be some smoke haze from the bushfires engulfing New South Wales. In regards to the pitch, it is typically a slower-paced track in Canberra – spinners and seamers who bowl cutters could be in the game.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Can the Sydney Thunder, with an inexperienced squad, make it three out of three?

Much rests on their top three with the bat, but with confidence behind them, they can get the job done.

Thanks for reading!

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