Syndey Sixers vs Sydney Thunder: Sydney Thunder Predicted XI, Big Bash League (BBL 2020-21)

At Adelaide Oval, Sydney Thunder will look to break their three-match losing streak when they meet Sydney Sixers on January 22 (Friday) in the 48th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21. This will be the second meeting of the two teams in this season.

Sydney Thunder will look to take revenge for the defeat against Sydney Sixers in the first meeting. It was a rain-curtailed match and Thunder could not defend the revised 129 runs target.

Apart from taking revenge, it is also an important match for Sydney Thunder to lock their place in qualifiers. Currently, they are in number fourth position in the points table and any defeat will push down them to the lower position.

Here, let’s take a look at Sydney Thunder predicted XI against Sydney Sixers:

Usman Khawaja:

Usman Khawaja, who is playing for Sydney Thunders since 2011, has returned into the groove after being out of form in the starting matches. He is one of the leading scorers for Thunders this season. In 11 matches, he has scored 268 runs at the strike rate of 134.00 but he hasn’t got a half-century in his name. Against Sydney Sixers, he will like to get his maiden half-century of this season.

Alex Hales:

The English cricketer Alex Hales, who has been sidelined by his national team after being banned two times for taking restricted drugs, is the highest scorer for Syndey Thunder. In 11 matches, he has scored 352 runs at the strike rate of 157.84. Thunder will hope that he set up another match-winning partnership with his opening partner.

Callum Ferguson (c):

Sydney Thunder captain Callum Ferguson is one of the leading scorers for his side, scoring 270 runs. He scored his third half-century of this season against Melbourne Stars. Ferguson has always been there to make amends whenever the team has lost early wickets. He will look to get runs and guide his team to victory against Hobart Hurricanes.

Oliver Davies:

The 20-year-old Oliver Davies is playing his maiden BBL season but has been outstanding. His power-hitting has helped the side to accelerate the innings and took the pressure from the captain’s shoulder albeit he hasn’t stayed longer in the crease. Against Perth Scorchers, he scored 36 runs off 22 balls, striking one four and three sixes.

He played a similar knock against Melbourne Renegades, scoring 48 runs off 23 balls which included five sixes and one boundary. Davies is the find of this season and is going to be the vital cog for Sydney Thunder.

Sam Billings:

The wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings scored big in the last match against Hobart Hurricanes but it ended up in the losing cause. He scored his maiden half-century (50 off 34 balls). He will look to play a similar knock against their tough rivals Sydney Sixers.

Ben Cutting:

Ben Cutting, who has returned to play for Sydney Thunder, has given massive contributions with bat and ball in past wins.

Against Melbourne Stars, he scored unbeaten 20 runs in just seven balls, striking three fours and one six to take the team’s total past 200. He played a similar knock against Brisbane Heat, scoring 24 runs in 15 balls which includes one four and two sixes.

Having a mammoth experience of playing T20 cricket around the world, Sydney Thunder will hope Cutting to come out as the match-winner for them in this season.

Chris Green:

The spin bowling all-rounder, who has gone too expensive in the first three matches, notched four crucial wickets against Melbourne Stars. He sent back the two openers Andre Fletcher and Marcus Stoinis early while picked the wicket of Nic Maddinson and Ben Dunk in the middle-overs. Apart from bowling, he also fired one four and one six at the end to add 12 runs to Sydney Thunder’s total.

He had also impressed with the ball against Brisbane Heat, picking one wicket while gave away only 20 runs in his four overs.

Chris Tremain:

As Daniel Sams has been ruled out of three matches after sustaining an injury in the last match against Hobart Hurricanes, Chris Tremain is likely to comeback in the playing XI. He has played three matches this season but was benched after being expensive. The pacer is expected to play against Sydney Sixers although he could not fill the gap of Sam’s batting prowess but the franchise will expect him to give breakthroughs.

Adam Milne:

Adam Milne, who has so far played eight matches, has not been a constant wicket-taker but has been economical. In the last match against Hobart Hurricanes, he gave away 36 runs in his four overs and picked up only a wicket. As a result, Sydney Thunder could not defend their target and ended up on a losing side. He will look to bounce back stronger against Sydney Sixers.

Nathan McAndrew:

Nathan McAndrew, who had missed two matches because of injury, returned in the playing XI against Melbourne Renegades. In the last match against Hobart Hurricanes, he bowled only two overs but was slapped for 24 runs. Being the experienced bowler in this team, he will look to give early breakthroughs against the strong Sydney Sixers.

Tanveer Sangha:

Tanveer Sangha, who is playing the maiden Big Bash League season, was the main architect of the Sydney Thunder’s win against Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars. He is the highest wicket-taker of the side, picking 18 wickets in 11 matches at the economy rate of 7.86.