2018-19 Big Bash League – Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers Preview & Prediction
When is Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers taking place? Monday, 24th December 2018 - 08:15 (UK)
Where is Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers taking place? Spotless Stadium
What is the expected weather for Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers? 20-22c and sunshine forecast all day
What channel is Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers on? Channel 7 & Fox in Australia & BT Sport 2 in the UK
Where can I stream Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match online via the BT Sport website
Where can I get tickets for Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers? http://www.sydneythunder.com.au/tickets
THE STATISTICS
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Sydney Thunder W4, Sydney Sixers W9
Last meeting: Sydney Sixers beat Sydney Thunder by 8 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
SYDNEY THUNDER
Coach: Shane Bond
Captain: Shane Watson
- Sydney Thunder kicked off BBL08 in fantastic style as they smashed 181/5 against Melbourne Stars but despite rain affecting the match and reducing the target for the Stars, the Thunder bowlers kept them 15 runs short of their D/L method target.
- Talented young batsman Jason Sangha produced a superb innings of 63 from 36 balls but all of their batsmen contributed something as the Thunder’s batting line-up clicked nicely against a fairly average Stars’ bowling attack.
- The likelihood is that they will name the same set of players for this Sydney derby given the impressive performance in the opening match with any changes likely to be tactical and in the bowling attack if they do decide to change things around at all.
SYDNEY SIXERS
Coach: Greg Shipperd
Captain: Moises Henriques
- Sydney Sixers opened their BBL08 campaign with an impressive 17-run win over Perth Scorchers as they batted first and amassed 164/4 and then restricted the Scorchers to just 147/8 in their 20 overs.
- They had a record fourth-wicket stand between Jordan Silk and Daniel Hughes to thank for that victory in large part and that will give them plenty of confidence but they will hope skipper Moises Henriques can recover from a calf strain he picked up in that match.
- O’Keefe and Abbott were in superb form picking up three wickets apiece against the Scorchers, and they will need to be at their best once again against this strong Thunder batting line-up but they will surely be unchanged for this match if Henriques is fit.
THE PREDICTION
Both the Sydney teams got off to excellent starts by winning their opening matches which makes this match even more appealing. Thunder have the names in their ranks and they have the firepower in their batting line-up to really take the game away from the Sixers. That said, the Sixers are no pushovers at all and they will be highly motivated against their city rivals. They may not have the big names like the Thunder but they may go under the radar and they do possess quality. This will likely be a close fought match, but preference goes to the Thunder to edge it.
