BBL 2019-20: Knockout, Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder: Dream 11 Fantasy Cricket Tips-Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The Knockout of the 2019-20 Big Bash League will be played between Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

The match starts at 07:10 PM local time (08:40 AM GMT) (02:10 PM IST). This match will be live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD. Live Streaming will be available on Sony LIV.

Preview for Dream11 Fantasy

It is time for the Knockout in the 2019-20 edition of the Big Bash League and it will take place between Adelaide Strikers, who finished third in the points table, and Sydney Thunder, who made their way courtesy their victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the Eliminator.

The winner of this game will face off against the Melbourne Stars who lost to Sydney Sixers in the Qualifier. Thunder made their way into the Knockout thanks to an imperious win over Hurricanes by 57 runs. Batting first, the Thunder racked up 5-197 with Usman Khawaja [54] and Alex Hales [60] racking up 103 runs for the opening stand. The target of 198 was never going to be easy to chase and it wasn’t as Jonathan Cook [4-21] and Chris Morris [3-27] wrecking the Hurricanes batting-unit to the hilt.

The Strikers, on the other hand, come into this game on the back of four wins in their past five fixtures. The last game that they played saw them go down to Hobart Hurricanes but that too wasn’t without giving a fight as Travis Head [47] and Philip Salt [66] made a decent fist of the target of 218. 

Weather Condition/Report

Unfortunately, It is expected to be a rainy day in Adelaide on Saturday. According to the weather report, Adelaide is expected to be lashed with rain throughout the day. While the temperature is set to be between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius, the humidity will hover around 76%. Chances of rain- 100℅.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The last six games pitch at the Adelaide Oval has alternated between a belter to bat on to being a tough-scoring wicket. But, with rain expected to be the order of the day, fast bowlers might come into the picture a lot more than they have at the Adelaide Oval thus far.

Average first innings score:– 157 [In the last 6 completed games at the venue this season]

Record of chasing teams: Won – 2, Lost – 4

Injury and Availability News

The Strikers, as well as Thunder, have named an unchanged squad for the Knockout

Probable Playing XIs

Adelaide Strikers

Jake Weatherald, Philip Salt, Travis Head (C), Alex Carey (WK), Jonathan Wells, Matthew Short, Rashid Khan, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Billy Stanlake.

Bench – Harry Conway, Liam O’Connor.

Sydney Thunder

Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson (C), Jay Lenton (WK), Alex Ross, Chris Morris, Arjun Nair, Daniel Sams, Chris Tremain, Jonathan Cook, Brendon Doggett

Bench – Nathan McAndrew, Liam Bowe

Top Picks

Adelaide Strikers: Travis Head [47] and Philip Salt [66] wracked up whirlwind scores in the last game against Hurricanes. Apart from the duo, the likes of Jake Weatherald, Jonathan Wells and Alex Carey will be the key to their fortunes with the bat. As far as bowing is concerned, the trio of Rashid Khan, Billy Stanlake and Peter Siddle will be the key.

Sydney Thunder: Thunder will once again bank on their top-3 in Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, and Calum Ferguson to spearhead their batting-unit. Hales and Khawaja racked up 103 runs for the opening wicket in the last game while Calum Ferguson and Khawaja scored whirlwind 73 and 63 against the Strikers in their last meeting, and the Thunder will hope that they can emulate the same in the all-important fixture on Saturday. 

Daniel Sams and Chris Morris could turn out to be X-factors with both bat and ball while Jonathan Cook, who claimed four wickets in the last game will be the one to watch out for. These players should be picked in your Dream11 Fantasy team.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Alex Hales, Philip Salt, Alex Carey, Daniel Sams

Vice-Captain – Chris Morris, Rashid Khan, Travis Head, Jonathan Cook

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Alex Carey

Batters –  Jonathan Wells, Phillip Salt, Callum Ferguson (C), Alex Hales (VC)

All-Rounders- Matthew Short, Daniel Sams

Bowlers- Peter Siddle, Rashid Khan, Jonathan Cook, Brendon Doggett

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Alex Carey (C)

Batters –  Jonathan Wells, Phillip Salt, Calum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja (VC), Alex Ross

All-Rounders- Travis Head, Chris Morris

Bowlers- Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jonathan Cook

Expert Advice

The likes of Chris Morris and Daniel Sams have been brilliant with both bat and ball throughout the season. Hence, opting for them as captain/vice-captain can be worth a punt.

Both sides have brilliant top-order batsmen in Alex Hales, Philip Salt, Jake Weatherland, Alex Carey. Opting for them in your Dream11 Fantasy team is another good punt.

Probable Winners:

Adelaide Strikers are expected to come out as the winners.

Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.