GameDay Squad AUS Cricket Game 6 Preview: The Sydney Thunder take on the Brisbane Heat in the 6th match of BBL13 in Canberra at Manuka Oval on Tuesday the 12th of December.
Here's everything you need to know ....
Predicted Teams
Sydney Thunder: 1. Matt Gilkes, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Cameron Bancroft, 4. Ollie Davies, 5. Blake Nikitaras, 6. Alex Ross, 7. Daniel Sams, 8. Nathan McAndrew, 9. Chris Green, 10. Tanveer Sangha, 11. Zaman Khan
Brisbane Heat: 1. Colin Munro, 2. Matt Renshaw, 3. Nathan McSweeney, 4. Sam Billings, 5. Jimmy Peirson, 6. Paul Walter, 7. Michael Neser, 8. Xavier Bartlett, 9. Matthew Kuhnemann, 10. Spencer Johnson, 11. Mitchell Swepson
Start Vs Sit
Batters - Ollie Davies vs Sam Billings
Billings made a solid start to BBL13 as he scored 18 runs off 11 balls against the Stars. He only came to the crease in the 15th over and did what was required of him from the Heat's point of view. With Khawaja and Labuschangne on Test duties, the Heat top order doesn't look quite as strong and Billings may be at the crease earlier than the 15th over in this match. Davies had a decent BBL12 and averaged 32 points per game based on GDS scoring. He is currently playing for NSW in the 2023/24 Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield. Davies has an average of 22 runs in the Marsh Cup and an average of 86 runs in the Sheffield Shield. Going by these stats, he seems more suited to the longer format of the game. Lastly, the Heat bowling attack were one of the better teams in BBL12 against the top and middle order of opposing teams. After taking everything into consideration, I'm leaning towards Billings but I think Davies can be a great POD option.
Start: Sam Billings
All-Rounder - Paul Walter vs Matt Renshaw
I honestly think the selecting the all-rounders for this match is rather straightforward, based on the predicted lineups. However, if you fancy the Thunder's bowling attack and think that they will knock the top off the Heat's batting lineup, then I think Walter is the best POD option. I was impressed with the one over he bowled against the Stars. It's not much to go on but I believe he would have bowled more overs if the Stars had batted out their overs. He is a risky POD option as Renshaw has been in fantastic form with the bat this season and has already scored three centuries. The most recent was only a few days ago for the PM's XI against Pakistan. I think that all of the all-rounders in the GDS starting XI (below) would easily walk into most GDS coaches starting XI's and Walter isn't any more than a risky POD option in my opinion.
Start: Matt Renshaw
Bowler - Spencer Johnson vs Zaman Khan
Johnson had a great 2022/23 and his form earned him a call up to the Australian T20 and ODI team. I think he will continue to go from strenght to strenght in BBL13 and be a handful for any batting lineup. Khan is an unknown quantity on Australian surfaces but I think he has the attributes to be a very good fantasy contributor. I'm not going to argue with anyone that plays him above Johnson in this match as I have them ranked as my third and fourth bowling options. I do consider Khan as a great POD option but I want to see him play a game or two before I stick him in my starting XI.
Start: Spencer Johnson
Matchup Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Against the Thunder, middle order batsmen have some success
Both teams are good vs spin
Against the Heat, lower order batsmen have some success
Ground Matrix
Key Takeaways:
The pitch should assist spin bowlers
Avoid batsmen that are batting in the first innings
Opening batsmen in the second innings have success here
Hot Take
Cameron Bancroft and Matthew Renshaw take the battle of the test opener spot back to the BBL and combine for 130+ runs between them!
Who to play in your GDS starting XI
BAT - Colin Munro
BAT - Alex Hales
BAT - Sam Billings
ALL - Nathan McSweeney
ALL - Daniel Sams
ALL - Michael Neser
ALL - Matthew Renshaw
WK - Cameron Bancroft
BWL - Spencer Johnson
BWL - Tanveer Sangha
BWL - Nathan McAndrew