The first Sydney Derby of BBL13 will see the Thunder host the Sixers in a blockbuster encounter on Saturday night.
Both teams are coming off disappointing losses during the week, so there’s plenty to play for in this one at Giants Stadium.
Josh Nevett provides his full match preview and betting tips below.
BBL13 Thunder vs Sixers Betting Tips
Giants Stadium, Saturday 30th December, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder have underperformed in the opening half of BBL13, managing just one win from four matches.
Despite boasting two of the top 10 runscorers and two of the top three wicket takers in the tournament, the Thunder have been unable to capitalise on winning positions, let down by a lack of consistency from the bottom end players.
While Cameron Bancroft (175 runs) and Ollie Davies (113 runs) will continue to lead Sydney from a batting perspective, import Zaman Khan has played his last game for the Thunder, leaving a fast bowling void.
I expect speedster Liam Hatcher to fill the vacancy for this derby against the Sixers, but that doesn’t address a shallow batting line-up that well and truly ends with Sams at number six.
McAndrew is hardly an all-rounder, so the Thunder will be relying heavily on the top four to set a strong platform on Saturday.
Predicted XI: Bancroft (wk), Hales, J. Sangha, Davies, Ross, Sams, McAndrew, Green, Sandhu, Hatcher, T. Sangha
Sydney Sixers
The Sixers are on course for another finals appearance, sitting third with a 3-1 record.
Similar to seasons past, the men in magenta have down their best work with the ball, overcoming sub-par batting performances to win some tight encounters.
The Sixers have topped 160 just once, but that has not been an issue until their most recent match against the Stars, which they lost by four wickets.
Despite a dominant batting performance from James Vince (83 off 55), Sydney were not able to score a victory, with the bowlers falling short of their usually high standards.
Reinforcements could be on the way, with Hayden Kerr nearing full fitness after missing the opening stages of BBL13 with a side injury. His inclusion could relegate Joel Davies to the reserves, leaving the Sixers with plentiful seam options plus one full-time spinner.
That is likely to be the only change for this clash, although Moises Henriques was nursing a shoulder concern against the Stars.
Predicted XI: Philippe (wk), Vince, Hughes, Henriques, Silk, Edwards, Kerr, Abbott, Dwarshuis, J.Bird, O’Keefe
Match Prediction
The Sixers have won the last four matches between these teams, and I can see that trend continuing on Saturday night.
The men in magenta have played far more consistent cricket in BBL13, and should get stronger if Hayden Kerr returns to the XI. On the flipside, the Thunder will dearly miss Zaman Khan, who has been a great source of wickets at the death, especially.
As such, I expect the Sixers to have far too much firepower with the ball in this one.
Sydney Sixers to Win
$1.67 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
Sams has now taken 10 wickets in this campaign – the most of any bowler – including a 5-fa against the Heat during the week. He will take on greater responsibility in Khan’s absence, so expect more wickets on Saturday.
Opening the batting for the Thunder, Bancroft has scored 175 runs, the second most of any batter. Scores of 46, 30, 74 and 25 suggest that 20 runs shouldn’t be too much of an ask against the Sixers.
Match Betting – Sydney Sixers
To Take a Wicket - Daniel Sams
To Score 20+ Runs – Cameron Bancroft
Same Game Multi $3.32 (Ladbrokes)
