With two wins and as many losses, Sydney Thunder hasn't made the greatest of starts to the 2018/19 season in the Big Bash League. They beat Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers in the derby game but lost to Hobart Hurricanes and later to Adelaide Strikers in their last game. As they face Perth Scorchers, who languish in the bottom half of the table, Sydney Thunder will hope to steal a win.
The Scorchers have won just one of their four matches this season and are second to last in the points table. They need a win here at the Spotless Stadium but their task is cut out against the Thunder who have a good record at home.
Conditions: The Spotless Stadium has been good for spinners with mid-200 scores being the norm. It is expected to be similar. Partly cloudy, humid conditions are expected although rain could stay away.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Jos Buttler (10.5 points)
The swashbuckling England wicket-keeper batsman is one to stick to in your fantasy side. Buttler has been getting starts and is the second highest run-scorer this season with 172 runs in 3 matches and could be a game changer against a Scorchers attack that can decimate teams on their day. Back Buttler big time for he can be a massive player in the encounter on Wednesday.
Batsman: Shane Watson (10 points)
Watson hasn't set the stage on fire yet, but being the opener and skipper, the burly all-rounder knows when to pick up and
With two wins and as many losses, Sydney Thunder hasn't made the greatest of starts to the 2018/19 season in the Big Bash League. They beat Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers in the derby game but lost to Hobart Hurricanes and later to Adelaide Strikers in their last game. As they face Perth Scorchers, who languish in the bottom half of the table, Sydney Thunder will hope to steal a win.
The Scorchers have won just one of their four matches this season and are second to last in the points table. They need a win here at the Spotless Stadium but their task is cut out against the Thunder who have a good record at home.
Conditions: The Spotless Stadium has been good for spinners with mid-200 scores being the norm. It is expected to be similar. Partly cloudy, humid conditions are expected although rain could stay away.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Jos Buttler (10.5 points)
The swashbuckling England wicket-keeper batsman is one to stick to in your fantasy side. Buttler has been getting starts and is the second highest run-scorer this season with 172 runs in 3 matches and could be a game changer against a Scorchers attack that can decimate teams on their day. Back Buttler big time for he can be a massive player in the encounter on Wednesday.
Batsman: Shane Watson (10 points)
Watson hasn't set the stage on fire yet, but being the opener and skipper, the burly all-rounder knows when to pick up and you could rue the decision if you opt to leave him out of your fantasy XI. An impact player like no other, Watson could be handy against the Perth seamers on a batting wicket. He is a possible candidate for skipper but given that he has been getting starts without converting them, Buttler is probably a better pick.
All-rounder: Daniel Sams (9 points)
Dibbly-dobbly all-rounders are a rarity in modern day cricket but Daniel Sams is one to watch out for because of his uncanny way of finding one way or the other to impact matches. He has been penetrative with the ball and his change of pace could come in handy at Sydney where the surface is two-paced. Sams could also play a pivotal role with the bat making him the all-rounder to watch out for.
Bowler: Andrew Tye (9.5 points)
Andrew Tye bowls at the death and is the highest wicket-taker in T20Is in 2018, all of which makes him an ideal candidate to have in your fantasy side. His change of pace, knuckle balls and variations at the death are wicket-taking and he has time and again proved his versatility in this format of the game. Perth need a massive boost and although he has been out of form, at Sydney, Tye could be the guy to do it.
Captain: Daniel Sams
Vice-captain: Jos Buttler