BBL 2018-19, Match 22, Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Sixers, Match Prediction: Who will win the Match?

The Strikers are hot favourites at home but the Sixers can always punch above their weight.

Published - 05 Jan 2019, 17:06 IST | Updated - 05 Jan 2019, 17:06 IST

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The 22nd match of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) will witness the Adelaide Strikers locking horns against the Sydney Sixers in front of their home crowd. Both the teams have a chance of climbing to the second spot with a win in this encounter and no wonder a mouthwatering action is in prospect for the fans. So far, a majority of the games have been low-scoring and one-sided unlike the previous editions and it is being expected that the pitches will improve as the season progresses.

The Strikers will continue to miss Travis Head their original skipper as he is with Australia Test squad in the ongoing series. Peter Siddle has been released for this game and will replace Ben Laughlin who has been rested keeping a long season in mind. Siddle’s inclusion will bolster their bowling though and the defending champions have slowly found their mojo after starting poorly.

The Sixers failed to make it a hat-trick of victories against the Hurricanes and will be hoping that it was no more than a blip in their brilliant season thus far. Like the Strikers, even they didn’t begin well and have hit the straps after a couple of matches. Adelaide side is too good at home and the visitors will have to pull out something to get better of them on the day.

Pitch and Conditions

The Adelaide Oval has offered a decent pitch so far in the two matches of the season which have been played. A similar kind of wicket is expected as the teams are expected to bat first after winning the toss. The temperatures will hover in the early 20s and it will gradually decrease as the game progresses which will turn out to be a pleasant evening to be part of the T20 game.

Team Combinations

Adelaide Strikers

The openers Alex Carey and Jake Weatherald are yet to fire together though both have shown individual brilliance so far. The skipper Colin Ingram, Matthew Short will follow next even as the likes Jonathan Wells and Jake Lehmann are expected to come up with significant knocks as soon as possible. There is a case for Rashid Khan to be promoted as well for his quickfire innings.

Billy Stanlake, Siddle look after the pace department while Rashid Khan and Liam O Connor are the spinners in the line-up. Michael Neser is also a decent bowler and is coming off a good show in the previous match.

Probable XI: Alex Carey (wk), Jake Weatherald, Colin Ingram (c), Matthew Short, Jonathan Wells, Jake Lehmann, Rashid Khan, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Liam O Connor, Billy Stanlake.

Sydney Sixers

For the Sixers, Lloyd Pope might come in the playing XI for Ben Dwarshius if the pitch is helpful for the spinners. Ben Manenti and Steve O’Keefe are already doing well while Tom Curran and Sean Abbott have done enough to be retained. The main problem is their batting which might see Joe Denly being axed for Jack Edwards. Justin Avendano and Daniel Hughes are in good nick while Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk are exceptional batsmen.

Probable XI: Joe Deny/Jack Edwards, Justin Avendano, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Josh Phillipe (wk), Tom Curran, Sean Abbott, Steve O’Keefe, Ben Dwarshius/Lloyd Pope, Ben Manenti.