GameDay Squad AUS Cricket Round 17 Preview: The Sydney Thunder take on the Sydney Sixers in the 19th match of BBL13 in Sydney at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Saturday the 30th of December.
Here's everything you need to know ....
Predicted Teams
Sydney Thunder: 1. Cameron Bancroft, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Jason Sangha, 4. Oliver Davies, 5. Alex Ross, 6. Daniel Sams, 7. Nathan McAndrew, 8. Chris Green, 9. Gurinder Sandhu, 10. Liam Hatcher, 11. Tanveer Sangha
Sydney Sixers: 1. Josh Philippe, 2. James Vince, 3. Daniel Hughes, 4. Moises Henriques, 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Jack Edwards, 7. Joel Davies, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Sean Abbott, 10. Jackson Bird, 11. Steve O'Keefe
Start Vs Sit
Batters - Oliver Davies vs James Vince
Davies had a good start to BBL13 and was one of the top three batsmen in his first two matches. Vince had been disappointing until his knock of 83 runs off 55 balls against the Stars. Davies averages 39 points and Vince averages 36 points. Even though Davies has been more consistent, I'm leaning towards Vince as I think the match up against the Thunder will suit him. I also believe that he offers a higher ceiling as he is an opening batsmen, especially if the Sixers bat second in this match.
Start: James Vince
All-Rounder - Chris Green vs Steve O'Keefe
Going by the predicted teams for this match, we only have five all-rounders to select our four starters from. I have Green and O'Keefe ranked 4th and 5th in my all-rounder rankings for this match. I'll likely be starting Green as he is averaging 35 points compared to O'Keefe's average of 18 points. However, if you just look at the points these players have scored through bowling, Green averages 22 points and O'Keefe averages 16 points. I have Green ranked ahead of O'Keefe because of the batting upside he offers if he spends time at the crease. This was the tie breaker as their bowling performances have been very similar.
Start: Chris Green
Bowler - Gurinder Sandhu vs Nathan McAndrew
There isn't much separating these two players in my opinion. We have only seen Sandhu play the one match and he picked up one wicket in his three overs. McAndrew has played four matches and still hasn't been able to take a wicket. McAndrew is likely to bat higher up the Thunder's batting order and offers a bit of upside if he spends time at the crease but there is no guarantee that he will have a bat. Sandhu will probably bowl more overs and going by the BBL12 stats, there is more chance of him taking a wicket. I have Sandhu ranked just ahead of McAndrew and will likely start him.
Start: Gurinder Sandhu
Matchup Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Opening and middle order batsmen have scored well against the Thunder
Opening batsmen against the Sixers have struggled for runs
Bowlers against the Thunder have scored well
Ground Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Opening batsmen who bat in the second innings can score well
Pace bowlers score well
Avoid opening batsmen who bat in the first innings
Hot Take
Sean Abbott will be the top scoring player in this match with 80+ points.
Who to play in your GDS starting XI
BAT - Jack Edwards
BAT - Alex Hales
BAT - James Vince
ALL - Daniel Sams
ALL - Moises Henriques
ALL - Sean Abbott
ALL - Chris Green
WK - Cameron Bancroft
BWL - Ben Dwarshuis
BWL - Jackson Bird
BWL - Gurinder Sandhu