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The 23rd Big Bash League Sydney derby takes place at the Sydney Cricket Ground with the Sixers already through to the play-offs and Thunder looking likely to join them. Sydney Sixers come into this match with odds of 4/6 (1.67) and are favourites to win.
These odds from Ladbrokes were correct at the time of writing.
- Match 50, BBL 2022-23
- Saturday January 21st, from 08:05 AM GMT
- The SCG, Sydney
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Contents
This ground saw the most runs during the T20 World Cup at the end of last year and has good pace for batters to use to work the ball around. The overhead conditions will favour the pace bowlers but expect the spinners to also be a threat.
We do not expect any rainfall to interrupt this match, although there will be cloud cover from start to finish at the SCG. The forecast is for the temperature to fall a little from 22 degrees early in the evening.
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder – Match Predictions
The Sixers have been one of the most successful teams over recent seasons in the Big Bash League and are targeting their fourth successive final. Right now, they look likely to do so and have lost only one of their last 10 fixtures. Although Sydney Thunder got back to winning ways with an eight-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades on Thursday, we can only see one winner emerging from this city-derby.
Prediction 1
Thunder To Hit Most Sixes
4/7 (1.57)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Abbott To Take Most Wickets
11/4 (3.75)
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Odds from
Prediction 3
Smith to be Man of the Match
7/1 (8.00)
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Odds from
Probable 6s
Sydney Thunder have a more aggressive approach to their batting and have the players to do so. Oliver Davies has hit 16 sixes across the tournament and each of Matthew Gilkes, David Warner and Alex Ross hit one in their victory against the Renegades. For Ross, his six took him into double figures for the tournament.
Sydney Sixers have relied more on the quality of their bowling attack rather than their batters to take unnecessary risks at the top of the order. Although Steve Smith hit seven sixes of his own in the last game, and Dan Christian is capable of hitting some big shots towards the end of the innings, we expect the bull of the Sixers runs to come through fours.
Our Prediction: Sydney Thunder to Hit Most Sixes 4/7 (1.57)
Probable Wickets
Sean Abbott has failed to take a wicket in only one of his 11 appearances for Sydney Sixers in this campaign. He returned figures of 3-9 in the last head to head with Sydney Thunder and picked up three wickets on his last appearance at the SCG. In fact at this venue alone, he has a strike-rate of 12.22 and has taken 25 more BBL wickets than any other player.
Our Prediction: Sean Abbott to Be the Highest Wicket Taker for Sydney Sixers 11/4 (3.75)
Man of the Match
Irrespective of the format, when Steve Smith is on form, he is simply one of the hardest batters in the world to dismiss. After a successful home summer of Test cricket against South Africa’s quality bowling attack, he has hit scores of 36 and 101 since turning his hand to the BBL. This venue also holds good recent memories for him as he made 104 here in the Third Test earlier in the month.
Our prediction: Steve Smith to Be the Man of the Match 7/1 (8.00)
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder Preview
The Sixers are looking for their fifth win in a row in BBL12 and their seventh win from their last nine games against Sydney Thunder. It was January 2021 when Thunder last beat their city rivals and they ended a three match losing run with their win over Melbourne Renegades in Match 47.
Sydney Sixers
There is only one injury doubt for Sydney Sixers ahead of this derby match with Test spinner Nathan Lyon expected to miss his second game in a row with a knee complaint.
James Vince’s absence at the top of the order has been easily filled by Steve Smith who seems to also be bringing the best out of keeper-batter Josh Philippe.
With the ball, Sydney Sixers continue to have a strong stable of wicket-takers. Nearly all of their bowling line-up come into this game in strong form.
Playing XI: Josh Philippe (wk), Steve Smith, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Steve O’Keefe, Todd Murphy
Sydney Thunder
Matthew Gilkes was the hero in Sydney Thunder’s last game, taking the Player of the Match Award after hitting 74 not out from 55 balls. Alongside Oliver Davies, Gilkes has had a strong tournament for Thunder at the top of the order.
Wicket taking has been an issue for Sydney Thunder throughout this competition. They have only two players in the top 23 wicket takers and that puts plenty of pressure on Daniel Sams and Nathan McAndrew to deliver again in this match.
Playing XI: Matthew Gilkes (wk), David Warner, Oliver Davies, Alex Ross, Blake Nikitaras, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green (c), Usman Qadir, Brendan Doggett
How to Watch Big Bash in the UK: Live Streaming & Channel List
Sky Sports Cricket have excellent coverage of the tournament and will show every ball of this game. If you are going to be out and about, follow the match live on Sky Go.
- Sky Sports Cricket (TV)
- Sky Go App (Streaming)
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