GameDay Squad AUS Cricket Round 30 Preview: The Sydney Sixers take on the Sydney Thunder in the 34th match of BBL13 in Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday the 12th of January.
Here's everything you need to know ....
Predicted Teams
Sydney Sixers: 1. Josh Philippe, 2. James Vince, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Moises Henriques, 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Jack Edwards, 7. Hayden Kerr / Joel Davies, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Sean Abbott, 10. Jackson Bird / Todd Murphy, 11. Steve O'Keefe
Sydney Thunder: 1. David Warner, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Cameron Bancroft, 4. Tom Kohler-Cadmore, 5. Oliver Davies, 6. Alex Ross, 7. Daniel Sams, 8. Nathan McAndrew, 9. Chris Green, 10. Gurinder Sandhu, 11. Tanveer Sangha
Start Vs Sit
Batters - David Warner vs Alex Hales
All reports indicate that Warner will play his first match of BBL13. Even though Warner has been playing cricket at the top level for sometime, he has only ever played nine matches for the Thunder. He averages 36 runs over these matches, this includes one century and one fifty. Last season he only played one match and he scored 16 runs. Hales has been having a rollercoaster of a season. He ranked as the top batsmen in three of his six matches. In the other three matches he finished as the 6th, 4th and 6th ranked batsmen. ln his last innings he scored 72 runs off 55 balls. Both these players have a very high ceiling but I'm leaning towards Hales as he has played more T20 cricket recently. I think Warner is a great POD for this match and wouldn't argue with anyone that selected him in their starting XI.
Start: Alex Hales
Wicket-Keeper - Josh Philippe vs Cameron Bancroft
Philippe has been making starts in most of his innings but he has only had one score of 30+ runs. He has ranked as the top scoring wicket-keeper in four of his six matches. Bancroft has been one of the inform wicket-keepers this season and averages 46 points. In his last couple matches he has been dismissed cheaply and he only averaged 18 points over these matches. Even though Bancroft has out performed Philippe this season, I like Philippe for this match. This is down to Bancroft's matchup against the Sixers bowlers. Only one opening or middle order batsmen has scored 50+ runs this season against the Sixers. Also, opening batsmen against the Thunder average 40 points.
Start: Josh Philippe
Bowler - Jackson Bird vs Todd Murphy
Bird has missed the last couple of matches but I'm expecting him to play this match. If Bird doesn't play, Murphy will likely make a start. Spin bowlers are averaging 42 points vs the Thunder and if the Sixers bowl second, I like Murphy. Whoever starts out of these two bowlers, will make the GDS starting XI. If they both start, it all depends on what happens at the toss. If the Thunder bowl first, I'll likely be starting Dwarshuis, Bird and Murphy. If the Thunder bowl second, I'll likely be starting Dwarshuis, Bird and Sangha.
Start: Jackson Bird / Todd Murphy
Matchup Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Opening and middle order batsmen haven't scored well against the Sixers
Spin bowlers have scored well against the Thunder
Opening and middle order batsmen have scored well against the Thunder
Ground Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Opening batsmen had scored well when batting first
Spin bowlers have had success here
Middle and lower order batsmen haven't scored well here
Hot Take
Smith has shown his class in his last couple of matches for the Sixers. I think he will continue his good BBL form and score another 50+ runs.
Who to play in your GDS starting XI
BAT - Steve Smith
BAT - James Vince
BAT - Alex Hales
ALL - Daniel Sams
ALL - Chris Green
ALL - Sean Abbott
ALL - Moises Henriques
WK - Josh Philippe
BWL - Ben Dwarshuis
BWL - Tanveer Sangha
BWL - Jackson Bird / Todd Murphy