BBL10 Match Preview: Hurricanes, Thunder fight to get back to winning ways after slip-ups

Both Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder were handed defeats in their previous games, somewhat derailing their prospects of making it to the Playoffs as early as possible. While the Hurricanes couldn’t get past Stars, even after an inspiring performance by Ben McDermott with the bat, Thunder’s express train was halted by the two Joes of Heat in Burns and Denly. 

While Hurricanes would wish that someone like 'Spiceman' Andre Fletcher doesn’t pull off the sort of catches he did in Hobart, Thunder would like to have Tanveer Sangha to be a little less expensive, although he is a wicket-taker no doubt. But the youngster was taken to the cleaners by the Heat. 

For Hurricanes, Big Ben and Dawid Must Fire

Hurricanes’ batting line up looks much more impressive after the induction of number one T20I batter in the world, Dawid Malan, and with Ben McDermott getting into the groove, it has become even more dangerous. McDermott, 26, is now the leading run-scorer in BBL 10 with 277 runs in six innings at an average of over 55 and a strike rate of more than 136. Malan, 33, on the other hand, has also amassed 155 runs in just four innings with one fifty as well.

It is these batsmen that the Hurricanes would wish are in the best of their form. Apart from these two, there is the ever-reliable Colin Ingram and the big-hitter Tim David, who too have performed well, scoring 228 and 191 runs respectively in the BBL season so far. If these four get going, no total would be small for the ‘Canes. 

Thunder Need Some Spark in Bowling

While the batting of the Thunder has always been on the mark, it is their bowlers that need a bit of a spark. In the seven games, the bowlers have been able to get the opposition dismantled only twice, but on both those occasions, it was the batting that had already mounted the pressure by scoring more than 200 runs. Apart from those two occasions, the only instance where they did bowl well was against Perth Scorchers where they were able to restrict the team at 152. 

With Daniel Sams not available even for the next game, the likes of Chris Green and Adam Milne need to take the responsibility. Against a very attacking ‘Canes, the Thunder bowling would have its real test. 

Hurricanes vs Thunder: Match Details

Date & Time: January 7, 10:00 AM Local, 12.40 PM IST, and 7.00 AM IST

Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth

Broadcasters: Sony LIV and SonyTen Network

Pitch Report

Up until now, only one game has been played at the Perth Stadium in this BBL season and that saw a two-way result in which the side batting first posted an imposing 185 while that batting second got bundled out for just 89. The wicket, however, is a true wicket with the ball coming on to the bat nicely. And of course, there is early movement. The wicket is ready for a thriller if both teams apply themselves. 

Weather and Bat Flip

With 58% cloud cover in the daytime, the players would hope for some respite from a 37-degree temperature. In the hot weather, the pitch would get better with time, and hence chasing would be a preferred option for the team winning the Flip. 

Thunder Strongest XI

Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Sam Billings (wk), Oliver Davies, Ben Cutting, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Adam Milne, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain

Hurricanes Strongest XI

Ben McDermott (wk), D'Arcy Short, Dawid Malan, Peter Handscomb (c), Colin Ingram, Tim David, Johan Botha, Nathan Ellis, Scott Boland, Riley Meredith, Sandeep Lamichhane

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