BBL 2019-20: Match 54, Sydney Thunder vs Perth Scorchers: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips-Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The 54th match of the 2019-20 Big Bash League will be played between Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers at the Sydney Showground Stadium in Sydney.

The match starts at 02:45 PM local time (03:45 AM GMT) (09:15 AM IST). This match will be live on Sony TEN 3 and Sony TEN 3 HD. Live Streaming will be available on Sony LIV.

Match Preview for Dream11 Fantasy

We are finally down to the business end of the 2019-20 edition of the Big Bash League where every game has a bearing on not only those who are involved in the encounter but also on sides’ who are still to confirm their place in the knockout stage.

With Melbourne Stars [20], Sydney Sixers [19] and Adelaide Strikers [17] having already confirmed their spot for the knockout stage, as many as four teams- Perth Scorchers [12], Sydney Thunder [11], Hobart Hurricanes [11] and Brisbane Heat [10]- are vying to lock their places in the final five, and the last round of group-stage fixtures will determine as to who makes the cut and who doesn’t.

Perth Scorchers are currently placed at the fifth spot with 12 points and a win against Sydney Thunder in their last league-stage encounter on Sunday, will all but ensure that they finish in the top-five. They come into this game on the back of a 16-run-loss at the hands of Adelaide Strikers after they failed to chase down 5-181 despite another whirlwind 79 [54 balls] by Liam Livingstone.

Sydney Thunder, on the other hand, is tantalizingly placed at the sixth spot and they must win on Sunday if they are to harbour any hopes of making it to the playoffs. They come into this game on the back of a morale-crushing 57-run-defeat at the hands of Hobart Hurricanes which was preceded by an eight-wicket shellacking at the hands of Perth Scorcher; the last time these two sides locked horns.

Weather Condition/Report

Unfortunately, it is expected to be a day of scattered thunderstorms in Sydney on Sunday. According to the weather report, Sydney is set to be lashed with spells of thunderstorms in the afternoon. While the temperature is set to be between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius, the humidity is set to hover around 74%. Chances of rain- 50℅.

Pitch Condition/Report:

With the weather set for scattered thunderstorms throughout the day, the moisture might come into play. The likes of Daniel Sams and Chris Morris have exploited the conditions to great effect in their past two outings at the venue, and with Sunday set to be another wet day, the bowlers might come into the picture once again.

Average first innings score:– 119 [In the last 3 completed games at the venue this season]

Record of chasing teams: Won – 1, Lost – 2

Injury and Availability News

Sydney Thunder has retained the same 13-member squad that lost to Hobart Hurricanes in their last fixture.

Perth Scorchers have been bolstered by the addition of Morne Morkel, wh0 comes into the squad in place of Chris Jordan.

Probable Playing XIs

Sydney Thunder

Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson (C), Jay Lenton (WK), Alex Ross, Chris Morris, Arjun Nair, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu/Nathan McAndrew, Liam Bowe, Jonathan Cook

Bench – Chris Tremain, Gurinder Sandhu/Nathan McAndrew

Perth Scorchers

Josh Inglis (WK), Liam Livingstone, Kurtis Patterson, Mitchell Marsh (C), Cameron Bancroft, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Kelly, Morne Morkel, Fawad Ahmed

Bench – Tim David, Joel Paris

Top Picks:

Sydney Thunder- One of the biggest reasons behind the struggles of Sydney Thunder has been their over-dependence on opener Alex Hales. Hales has been in brilliant form thus far in the competition and he gave an account of that in the last game when he racked up another whirlwind 63 off 42 balls.

But, unfortunately, barring Alex Ross [36], none of the Thunder batsmen could post any substantial score, something that has been the case throughout the season. As far as bowling is concerned, Daniel Sams [4-34] and Arjun Nair [2-19] were the pick of the bowlers in the last game.

Perth Scorchers- The pair of Josh Inglis and Liam Livingstone have been the bedrock of Scorchers batting unit this season. While Inglis missed out in the last game, Livingstone once again scored a whirlwind 79 off 54 balls. The duo racked up a 136-run-stand, the last time these two sides locked horns but they’ll hope that the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Kurtis Patterson, and Cameron Bancroft back them up, something that hasn’t been the case in the past two games.

Matt Kelly [2-26] and Ashton Agar [2-29] were the picks of the bowlers for the Scorchers in the last game, and with Morne Morkel set to join the ranks on Sunday, he may just turn out to be the X-factor of their bowling unit.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Josh Inglis, Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone, Daniel Sams

Vice-Captain – Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Ross, Ashton Agar

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Josh Inglis

Batters – Liam Livingstone (C), Alex Ross, Ashton Turner, Alex Hales (VC)

All-Rounders- Daniel Sams, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Marsh

Bowler- Fawad Ahmed, Morne Morkel, Arjun Nair

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Josh Inglis (VC)

Batters – Liam Livingstone, Alex Hales, Ashton Turner, Calum Ferguson

All-Rounders- Daniel Sams (C), Chris Morris

Bowler- Fawad Ahmed, Jhye Richardson, Matt Kelly, Liam Bowe

Expert Advice:

The duo of Josh Inglis and Liam Livingstone cranked up a 136-run-stand, the last time these two sides met in the competition. Apart from the duo, Alex Hales has been in whirlwind form for Sydney Thunder, and he could be another great pick for your Dream11 Fantasy XI.

Besides that, the pitch in Sydney aids spinners and opting for the likes of  Fawad Ahmed, Arjun Nair or Ashton Agar could also turn out to be worth a punt. Chris Morris and Daniel Sams have claimed nine wickets between them in their past two outings at the Showground stadium. They can also be great picks in your Grand League team.

Probable Winners:

Perth Scorchers 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.