BBL 2017-18, Match 1, Preview: Thunder and Sixers look to start tournament on high

On an overcast day in Sydney, the seventh edition of Australian domestic T20 tournament, Big Bash League (BBL) is to begin. The Sydney Thunder are all set to take on the Sydney Sixers here on Tuesday (19 December). Sydney Sixers finished last season as the finalist and will look to carry on the momentum and start the tournament on a high. Whereas, Thunder’s first target would be to break Sixers’ juggernaut and will look to play with an attacking mindset from ball one.

Sydney Thunder has had two dramatic seasons on the trot, winning the coveted title in one, and losing miserably their last outing. However, they will look to start fresh and switch the fortune in their favour. The 36-year-old batting allrounder, Shane Watson will be leading the side, probably for one final time before hanging his boots. Though his future is uncertain, he will look to express himself freely and get in form from the first match itself, and give the required boost to his teammates.

On the other hand, Sixers’ are presently in a transition phase and yet to see the new dawn despite some flashes in between. Though they ended their last season on a high, they have made some drastic changes from the previous edition. To add more worries, Mosies Henriques, who is supposed to lead the side has fallen to an injury and is still recovering. He is expected to play in the eleven, however, it’s still uncertain whether the-30-year-old will bowl.

Toss: Thunder won the toss and elected to field

Playing XI:

Sydney Thunder: Kurtis Patterson, Ryan Gibson, Aiden Blizzard, Ben Rohrer, Shane Watson(c), Jos Buttler(w), Chris Green, Arjun Nair, Andrew Fekete, Mitchell McClenaghan, Fawad Ahmed

Sydney Sixers: Jason Roy, Daniel Hughes, Nic Maddinson, Moises Henriques(c), Sam Billings, Peter Nevill(w), Johan Botha, Sean Abbott, Steve O’Keefe, Daniel Sams, Doug Bollinger

Playing Combination

Sydney Thunder

The line up of Sydney Thunder is nothing short of a starstruck. But unfortunately for them, the real match winners are on national duty and are expected to join the squad in a few days. With the unavailability of Usman Khwaja, the English batsman, Jos Buttler is expecting to start the proceeding with the bat for Thunders. He is likely to be joined in by skipper Watson who seems to be in prime form from past six months or so.

The middle order responsibility is expected to be in the hands of experienced Callum Ferguson, who will be supported by the likes of Jake Doran. The bowling looks settled for men-in-green with the likes of Mitchell McClenaghan and Clint McKay coming into play.

Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers have named both Billings and Roy in the 13-man squad, which makes it almost certain that they will start the game and be included in the eleven. Undoubtedly, Jason Roy will open with a partner he has played in past, Michaell Lumb. At number three, Henriques will hold the innings together as the anchor. The 30-year-old has been able to do it for Sunrisers Hyderabad in past and will look to continue the same on his home soil.

Billings, Brad Haddin are other faces who are quite likely to take the field. In the bowling department, with likes of Mitchell Starc and Nathon Lyon, not available for selection, the responsibility on others multiplies. The experience of Sean Abbott and Doug Bollinger will certainly come into play for the team.

Focus will be on

Shane Watson

Watto is still one of the greatest allrounders in the shortest format as he boasts of some fantastic numbers by his name. He has played T20 tournaments almost everywhere in the world from IPL in India to CPL in the Carribean. His experience will come into play when Thunders will take on Sixers in the opening match of BBL 2017-18. The veteran will want to lead his team from the front and get a string of big scores.

Jason Roy

Jason Roy has been a consistent performer for England for last year and a half. In the absence of some big names, it will be extra responsibility on his shoulder to build a foundation at the top and provide Sixers with a decent start. In his short T20 career, he has scored 472 runs which include two fifty-plus scores. He has the ability to change the gear as per the demand of the condition and Sixers will be hoping the same results from him in this tournament as well.