Big Bash League 2019 Knockout, Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Sydney Thunder will take on Adelaide Strikers next in their quest to reach, and perhaps even win the BBL 9 final. It’s the knockout round of the tournament, and league form doesn’t matter any longer.

Adelaide will do well to remember that. Because Thunder were all sorts of impressive in their Eliminator against Hobart Hurricanes. Thunder posted a mammoth 197/5, and the team will be particularly happy with how Usman Khawaja seemed to find form again and Alex Hales just keeps scoring runs for fun.

Their half-centuries, combined with a 22-ball 33 from captain Callum Ferguson helped Thunder post a daunting total, something that the Hurricanes had no hope of chasing given the excellent bowling performance put in by Jonathan Cook (4/21) and Chris Morris (3/27). Hurricanes were bundled out for 140.

Thunder will be hoping that that was just the start, that they can get on a run here that’ll end with them lifting the trophy. However, Adelaide will have something to say about that. They were impressive in the league stages, finishing third with 17 points, just two behind second-placed Sydney Sixers.

This should be an interesting clash, to say the least.

Head to head

There have been 13 clashes in all between Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder. It’s been a fairly even rivalry, with the Strikers winning six to Thunder’s five. When the sides met earlier this season, Thunder won by just 3 runs, with their other clash being abandoned controversially.

Key players

Jonathan Wells (Adelaide Strikers): Thunder have plenty of runs in them, and if Adelaide are to match up, they will need Wells to fire. He’s their top-scorer of the season so far, with 444 runs in 13 outings, and Thunder’s first priority will be to contain him.

Alex Hales (Sydney Thunder): Hales’ form this season has prompted some in England to wonder whether he can return to the international scene again. He’s scored 509 runs in 15 innings so far, and that’ll ensure the Strikers’ bowlers will be quivering.

Likely XIs

Adelaide Strikers: Phil Salt, Jake Weatherald, Travis Head (c), Alex Carey (wk), Jonathan Wells, Rashid Khan, Matthew Short, Michael Nesser, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Billy Stanlake

Sydney Thunder: Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Alex Ross, Chris Morris, Daniel Sams, Arjun Nair, Jay Lenton (wk), Jonathan Cook, Chris Tremain, Ben Doggett

Prediction

Thunder to continue their run.