Big Bash League 2019 Match 39, Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Big Bash League 2019 Match 39, Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

David Miller Hobart Hurricanes Perth Scorchers

These two teams last met in the BBL 9 opener. At the time, Hobart Hurricanes secured a 25-run victory and Sydney Sixers were left with pessimistic feelings of the campaign coming up. However, things have changed drastically since then.

Ahead of their second meeting this season, it’s the Sixers who are second on the table, with 12 points from nine matches, and primed to make the knockouts. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are left floundering second from bottom – since that opening victory, they’ve won only two more matches out of nine.

The Hurricanes desperately need to effect a reversal in fortunes. They have five matches left to make something out of it, and as inconceivable as it seems at the moment, if they can somehow spark into a run of form and win those matches on the trot, they may well make the knockouts.

It’s a difficult task, make no doubt. The Sixers have been a fine side this tournament. Their five-match winning streak was only snapped in their last outing by Melbourne Stars, the league leaders, and they will be primed to bounce back and ensure their league phase is completed with wins.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are looking to snap a three-match losing streak. It’s high time they did that. Time is running out.

Head to head

There have been 11 clashes between the Sixers and the Hurricanes so far in the BBL. It’s a fairly even rivalry, with the Hurricanes winning six to the Sixers five. Which way will Thursday go?

Key players

Joshua Phillippe (Sydney Sixers): Phillipe has been superb for the Sixers this season. He has scored 270 runs in nine matches, and is their steady hand at the top. He is some way off the top of the tournament run charts, but he is Sixers’ bankable run-scorer.

Qais Ahmed (Hobart Hurricanes): The Hurricanes have not had the greatest tournament, but in Ahmed, they have one big positive. He has taken 11 wickets in nine matches with his leg-spin, and will be their big hope against the Sixers.

Likely XIs

Sydney Sixers: Joshua Phillipe (wk), Daniel Hughes, James Vince, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Tom Curran, Justin Avendano, Ben Dwarshuis, Jackson Bird, Steve O’Keefe, Lloyd Pope

Hobart Hurricanes: Matthew Wade (c), Caleb Jewell, David Miller, George Bailey, Brian McDermott (wk), Simon Milenko, Clive Rose, Thomas Rogers, Nathan Ellis, Qais Ahmed, Scott Boland

Prediction

The Sixers to win and assert their authority.