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  • Bbl10 Match Preview Top Spot In Contention As Thunder Face Sixers In The Sydney Derby

BBL10 | Match Preview: Top spot in contention as Thunder face Sixers in the Sydney Derby

Abhishek Singh∙ Jan 12 2021, 2:26 PM


As the action of the Big Bash League (BBL) returns to Manuka Oval in Canberra once again, two teams at the top of the table, separated by just two points between them, will collide to prove their dominance over the other and to emerge as the team to beat in the 10th edition of the league. Although it is taking place in Canberra, the Sydney derby promises to be the match of the season as two very evenly matched sides will be going against each other. 

Battle of the Batting Heavyweights

Both the Thunder as well as Sixers have gained victories in the tournament so far courtesy of their superb batting displays. Although the last few matches of both the teams might give a different account. In the top 10 run scorer’s list, Sixers have two players in Josh Philippe and skipper Daniel Hughes while Thunder too have Alex Hales and skipper Callum Ferguson in the same list. Usman Khawaja is not far away from making the list either, sitting at the 12th position. 

It is therefore among these batsmen where the real fight between the two teams would take place. The form of these players along with the likes of all-rounders Dan Christian and Ben Cutting will be one of the main factors deciding the outcome of the game

Thunder Spin Duo vs Sixers Pace Quartet

The Thunder team has been blessed with two very different spinners who are similar in the way that they like to pick wickets. Among them, they have so far got 27 wickets and are part of the top ten wicket-takers in this season’s BBL. The 19-year-old Tanveer Sangha has impressed all with his leg-spin variations while Chris Green and his yorkers with off-spin has been a cause of worry for many. Sangha would also be looking to regain the top spot on the wicket-takers list as he is just two wickets away from getting there. 

On the contrary, the Sixers attack looks a bit weak, especially after the departure of Jason Holder and due to the unavailability of the likes of Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott due to national duties. However, the availability of Jackson Bird, Jake Ball, and the spinners in Loyd Pope and Steve O’ Keefe, along with all-rounders Dan Christian and Carlos Brathwaite, has somewhat filled in that gap and, as a result, the team seems to be doing just fine.

However, in comparison to the Thunder spin duo, the Sixers attack looks a bit weak and hence a lot will depend on the all-round abilities of Christian and Brathwaite to take the Sixers over the line, as was seen in the last game against the Heat. Christian single-handedly took Sixers to a thrilling victory with his astonishing batting display. 

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Sixers vs Thunder: Match Details

Date and Time: Jan 12, 2021, 1:45 PM IST, 7.15 PM Local, 8.30 AM IST

Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra

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Broadcast and Live Stream: Sony Six, Sony LIV

Pitch Report

Manuka Oval earlier presented a wicket that had something for the bowlers if they hit the right lengths and batsmen couldn’t run away with the game. The scores were generally at par, except for the last two games where the side batting first went past 200. In this game, a true wicket with something for both the bowlers and the batters in it is expected. 

Weather and Bat Flip

The weather is going to be cloudy throughout the game, assisting a bit of swing, and the spinners would get a bit of drift as the humidity would be on the higher side in the second innings as well. In such a scenario, the team winning the bat flip would like to bat first and put a good total on the board to defend. 

Sixers Strongest XI

Josh Philippe (wk), Jack Edwards, James Vince, Daniel Hughes (c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Steve OKeefe, Jackson Bird, Jake Ball, Lloyd Pope

Thunder Strongest XI

Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Sam Billings (wk), Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Adam Milne, Tanveer Sangha

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