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BBL10 | Preview: Thunder face strikers in a potential quarterfinal for the Playoffs


Sydney Thunder, after their last game victory against the Sixers, would be in high spirits and would like to cash on to it when they face Adelaide Strikers, another team that would be coming on the back of a great over the Heat. Playing at home, the Strikers would not be an easy pushover and hence the game is tantalizing an exciting watch not only for the fans of these two teams but that too of the Stars and Hurricanes as well, as their convention for a place in the Playoffs would depend on the results of most other games from now onwards. 

Hales is key for Thunder

Although it will be a home game for Thunder which is happening at the home of the opposition due to covid-19 protocols, the way Alex Hales performed in the last game, surely doesn’t feel like away from home for him. In the entire tournament, Thunder have won those games where Hales has performed well. Banking on that, the Thunder would like him to keep on going for the next two games as they would be missing the services of another of their best performers, Daniel Sams in the next two games. 

Apart from Hales, skipper Callum Ferguson and Sam Billings too have been good touch, and their contribution with the bat, especially against a side that has got brilliant bowlers like Wes Agar and Peter Siddle is going to be crucial. 

Carey and Agar: The two driving horses of Strikers' chariot

If Adelaide Strikers want is to have their one foot into the Playoffs, it is going to be through the bat of Alex Carey and the ball of Wes Agar. They have been brilliant throughout the series and Agar is one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament with 21 wickets in 12 innings. Similarly, Carey is one of the leading run-scorers and one of the biggest match-winners as well. 

Strikers then would bank on these two players even as they have other match-winners in skipper Travis Head, Siddle, and even Danny Briggs the left-arm spinner who could dart in yorkers as well. 

Thunder vs Strikers: Match Details

Match Number- 51

Date and Time- Jan 23, 2021, 10:35:00 am IST, 04:05pm Local, 05.05 am IST

Venue- Adelaide Oval

Broadcast- Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network

Pitch Report

The pitch at the oval in Adelaide as evident from the last match is a totally T20 wicket with the ball coming on to the bat very nicely and it seemed like a graveyard for the bowlers, especially when Hales was murdering their balls. On that basis, the pitch would provide a good contest as both the teams have amazing batters in their ranks. 

Weather and Bat Flip

The skies are going to be laden with clouds and overcast conditions might help fast bowlers early on. Thankfully there is no chance of rain and thus a full game is in sight for us. The skipper winning the flip would however like to field first as it would help him utilize the overcast conditions. 

Thunder Strongest XI

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

Strikers Strongest XI

Alex Carey (wk), Jake Weatherald, Philip Salt, Travis Head (c), Matt Renshaw, Ryan Gibson, Michael Neser, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar, Liam O Connor, Peter Siddle

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