Wednesday night Big Bash action heads to the SCG as the Sydney Sixers host the Adelaide Strikers. The Sixers will be looking to bounce back from a loss to the Scorchers in the opening game of the season while the Strikers open their BBL15 account away from home. Check out our preview and betting tips for the clash below.
BBL15 Sixers vs Strikers Betting Tips
SCG, Wednesday 17th December, 7:15pm AEDT
Sydney Sixers
Predicted XI: Babar Azam, Jack Edwards, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Lachy Shaw, Ben Dwarshuis, Charlie Stobo, Jafer Chohan, Mitch Perry, Todd Murphy
The Sixers come into this clash eager to respond after a season opening loss to the Scorchers in Perth, where they showed promising moments with the bat but struggled to apply sustained pressure with the ball. Babar Azam looked shaky at the top of the order and the lack of early wickets and limited depth in the bowling attack proved costly on opening night. With Sam Curran unavailable and Sean Abbott still doubtful with a hamstring issue, Sydney again face the challenge of balancing control and penetration in their attack.
Selection wise, spinner Jafer Chohan is pushing to return pending his recovery from illness, while Jordan Silk is expected to be back after missing the opener for personal reasons. That could trigger a minor batting reshuffle, with Jack Edwards or Lachlan Shaw potentially moving up the order at Daniel Hughes’ expense. The Sixers are keen to persist with Mitch Perry after his first outing and appear comfortable carrying a longer tail if it means maintaining discipline with the ball on a surface that traditionally rewards patience.
Adelaide Strikers
Predicted XI: Matt Short, Mac Harvey, Chris Lynn, Jason Sangha, Alex Ross, Jamie Overton, Harry Nielson, Henry Thornton, Hasan Ali, Luke Wood, Lloyd Pope
The Strikers enter their first match of the season without the benefit of recent game time, but they do so with a settled and straightforward lineup. Travis Head and Alex Carey are unavailable due to Test duties, yet Adelaide still boast plenty of firepower through Matt Short, Mackenzie Harvey and Chris Lynn, who has been cleared to play despite a recent injury scare. Jason Sangha and Alex Ross provide stability in the middle, while Jamie Overton adds an important allround dimension.
Bowling remains a strength for the Strikers, with Henry Thornton, Hasan Ali and left armer Luke Wood offering pace variety and Lloyd Pope handling spin duties. Liam Scott will be unlucky to miss out, but overall Adelaide look comfortable with their balance heading into opening night. While there may be some early rust without a warm up game, the Strikers’ clarity around roles should help them settle quickly.
Match Prediction
Sydney should benefit from returning to familiar conditions at the SCG, and there is upside if their reshuffled batting order clicks and Babar is able to anchor a deeper innings. However, the lingering questions around their bowling depth, particularly if Abbott is unavailable, remain a concern against a Strikers lineup stacked with power through the middle.
Adelaide, despite being yet to play this season, arrive with fewer selection headaches and a bowling group well suited to travelling conditions. If they can avoid a slow start and allow Short or Lynn to set the tone, they look capable of controlling the tempo. The lean is toward the Strikers to make a winning start to their campaign, capitalising on Sydney still finding their rhythm after a tough opening assignment.
Sixers to Win
$1.75 (1 Unit)
Sixers vs Strikers Player Prop Bet
Moises Henriques over 18.5 runs profiles as a strong player prop on Wednesday night. He looked in good touch in the opener against the Scorchers before an unfortunate bowler’s end run out cut his innings short, and that early fluency is a positive sign heading back to the SCG. Henriques has a proven record against Adelaide, averaging 26.4 across 15 games, and that same average across 64 matches at the SCG highlights how well his game suits the conditions. Batting in a role that allows him to absorb pressure and build, this line feels well within reach if he gets a clean run at the crease.
Henriques Over 18.5 Runs
$1.88
