Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder Preview Dream11

Officially the Thunder’s last chance. They come up against their crosstown rivals who are on a magnificent run of form, and a loss here will just about be curtains.

Right now, Sydney Sixers at the SCG is arguably the most challenging match in BBL08. Hobart Hurricanes have lost two of their last three, whereas the Sixers are hitting form at the right end of the season. They have won their three matches in a row, thumping each side they have played, representing a brilliant comeback from when they were thumped by the Renegades a few weeks back. However, as recent matches have shown, the in-form side can get beaten if not careful. Can the Sixers reclaim second spot?

Sydney Thunder, as they have so often in their BBL history, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory three nights ago against the Renegades. Their death bowling against lower order batsman Cameron Boyce was inexplicable, and conceded 140 on a sluggish pitch after having the opposition 7/90 with less than five overs to go. A loss like that might be difficult to recover from, but the Thunder now have no choice but to bounce back, with a loss here leaving them a point behind Melbourne Stars with two extra matches played. Will they step up with just one match remaining for them after this?

Also read: Cricket fan heaven! Top 10 cricket bats of 2019.

Key to a Sydney Sixers win

The Sixers’ top order has hit good form in recent matches, a far cry from their early season troubles. However, their bowling unit has been in excellent touch, dismantling teams at will. They rolled Brisbane Heat for less than 100, and then thrashed Adelaide Strikers after restricting them to just 124/8. Against a Thunder side that needs its top order to deliver, the Sixers have an opportunity to continue their good form and reclaim second spot. Ben Dwarshuis bowled arguably his finest ever BBL spell against the Strikers, and if he can deliver again alongside the likes of Sean Abbott, Tom Curran and Steve O’Keefe, the Thunder might find it difficult to keep their wickets intact let alone score at a rapid rate.

As mentioned, though, their batsmen are also delivering. That Daniel Hughes and Moises Henriques returned to form against the Strikers is cause for encouragement, and with Josh Philippe and James Vince also showing good form in recent matches, the Sixers have a top four that can cause damage. However, the Thunder were excellent in the powerplay against the Renegades the other night, so the Sixers need to guard against powerplay wickets, which was an issue for them earlier in the campaign. Can they set a strong foundation for the likes of Jordan Silk and Tom Curran to tee off?

Key to a Sydney Thunder win

Shane Watson has had a few low scores in a row, and it has significantly impacted the Thunder’s fortunes. Since the unlucky no result against the Heat at the Gabba, where Watson scored a century, the Thunder have lost two of three matches, and Watson has scores of 1, 8 and 4. The win against the Scorchers was down to Callum Ferguson’s century, which renders these two players absolutely crucial to the Thunder’s chances of keeping their season alive. With these two in good touch, the other Thunder batsmen, including Anton Devcich and Jason Sangha, can bat around them.

Also, can the Thunder get the better of the Sixers’ top order, and then drive the advantage home? It is a big ask against a side in form, but it is a must they get wickets in the powerplay, and then back it up with dot balls and regular wickets in the middle overs. Chris Jordan and Gurinder Sandhu, who were awful at the death in Melbourne, have to deliver at both key stages of the innings, allowing for the likes of Daniel Sams and the spinners to continue building the pressure on the Sixers. In a crunch game, the Thunder have to get everything right.

Possible Playing 11

Sydney Sixers have named an unchanged squad from their thrashing of Adelaide Strikers.

Sydney Sixers Possible Playing 11: 1. Josh Philippe (wk), 2. Daniel Hughes, 3. James Vince, 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Jack Edwards, 7. Tom Curran, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Steve O’Keefe, 10. Ben Dwarshuis, 11. Ben Manenti,

Sydney Thunder have also named an unchanged squad from their defeat against Melbourne Renegades. The question will be whether they bring in an extra seamer for conditions that could suit seam with some rain around in the last 24 hours.

Sydney Thunder Possible Playing 11: 1. Shane Watson (c), 2. Anton Devcich, 3. Callum Ferguson, 4. Jason Sangha, 5. Daniel Sams, 6. Baxter Holt (wk), 7. Chris Green, 8. Chris Jordan, 9. Gurinder Sandhu, 10. Jono Cook/Nathan McAndrew, 11. Fawad Ahmed

Also read: Cricket fan heaven! Top 10 cricket bats of 2019.

Dream11 Prediction

• Baxter Holt played well for the Thunder last game, but Josh Philippe will get more of an opportunity to bat as he opens.
• James Vince has scores of 75 and 74* in his last three innings, and in the last innings, he was middling every ball as he smashed one to cover to get out. He is in fine touch.
• Shane Watson has had three poor outings in a row, but is due. He has played good innings against the Sixers, including a score of 77 in December 2017.
• Daniel Hughes enjoys playing against the Thunder. Before this season, his scores were 29, 66*and 54* against them.
• Tom Curran scored 62 and took 3/24 in his last game vs Thunder.
• Chris Green has a good record vs Sixers. He didn’t score earlier this season, but was man of the match in January last year vs Sixers.
• Ben Dwarshuis is coming off a brilliant 3/7 vs Strikers. Steve O’Keefe has four wickets in his last five matches, so just misses out. However, he is a good option to pick if you feel he is due.

Stats and Facts

• Sydney Thunder have won three of the last four matches against Sydney Sixers.
• Sydney Sixers will move to second spot with a win tonight.
• The team batting second has won four of the past five matches between the two sides.

Match Prediction

Sydney Thunder are certainly capable of beating Sydney Sixers, but do they have the confidence to execute under pressure?

Right now, I’m not so sure. Sydney Sixers to win and move to second position.

Thanks for reading!

Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder Preview Dream11