Two of the BBL12 title favourites clash on Thursday night, with the Sydney Sixers hosting the Hobart Hurricanes at the SCG.
While the Hurricanes were able to get their first points on the board against the Scorchers, the men in magenta still sit winless so this is a crucial clash.
Josh Nevett provides his full match preview and BBL betting tips below.
BBL12 Sixers vs Hurricanes Betting Tips
SCG, Thursday 22nd December, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Sydney Sixers
Predicted XI: Kurtis Patterson, Josh Phillipe, James Vince, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Naveen-ul-Haq, Izharulhaq Naveed
Despite boasting one of the most successful and experienced line-ups in the competition, the Sydney Sixers have failed to impress in the opening rounds of BBL12.
The batsmen have been culpable for the two defeats so far, scoring just 133 and 117 in each match.
As such, the likes of Henriques, Vince and Patterson really need to lift their game to give Sydney some defendable totals.
On the bowling front, import Izharulhaq Naveed has justified his recruitment with four wickets at less than six runs per over, while seasoned quicks Sean Abbott and Jackson Bird have also been amongst the wickets.
However, the Sixers will need to score more than 130 to win matches on a consistent basis.
Runs on the board will be particularly important against the Hurricanes.
Hobart Hurricanes
Predicted XI: Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Shadab Khan, Tim David, James Neesham, Asif Ali, Nathan Ellis, Paddy Dooley, Billy Stanlake, Riley Meredith
Hobart are back on the winners list after defeating last year’s champions, and it was an unheralded left-arm spinner who did the damage.
Quirky youngster Paddy Dooley took 4-15 as the Hurricanes defended 172, cementing himself as a vital cog in the Hobart machine.
Aussie representatives Matthew Wade (51 off 29) and Tim David (46 off 28) were the other standout performers, ensuring that Hobart managed a decent score on home turf.
Heading into this encounter, Hobart’s line-up is relatively settled, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Joel Paris is omitted after a couple of underwhelming performances.
Sitting at 1-1, this game feels like a big one for the team expected to go all the way in BBL12.
Match Prediction
Most would expect the Sixers to find their groove sooner rather than later, but what if this ageing squad has reached the end of its reign?
That is a question that will be answered over the coming months.
All it takes is for one Sydney batsman to explode, and we could see a Sixers victory. With that in mind, I’m backing the home side.
Sydney Sixers
$2.10 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
With 129 wickets in 96 matches, Abbott is one of the best bowlers the BBL has seen and he already has four wickets in two matches so far this season. Playing at home, I expect the skilful quick to turn it on in front of Sixers fans.
The Sixers have failed to fire with the bat so far, and they will need to turn this around to beat the Hurricanes. It’s either that, or Sydney topples Hobart’s top order, which is what I’m predicting will happen at the SCG.
Phillipe is one of the Sixers batsmen that needs to lift his game. Undoubtedly a rising star of Australian cricket, the creative stroke maker will look to set the tone at the top of the innings. He struck three boundaries against the Strikers in Round 1.
Player to Take 1+ Wickets – Sean Abbott
Highest Opening Partnership – Sydney Sixers
Player to Score 2+ Fours – Josh Phillipe
