BBL 7, Match 20: Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder – Match Predictions

Sydney Thunder will take on Adelaide Strikers in match 20 of the 7th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). Both these teams are placed mid-way through the points table and will want to peak at this stage. Thunder had a great start to the tournament as they beat the local rivals Sydney Sixers in their very first game, but they lost the plot thereafter and their points’ tally currently stands at 4 points only.

The Strikers, in comparison, are in a much better position as they have 6 points in 4 games, however, their last game ended in a defeat and that’s what displaced them from the top of the table. They will like to think it was a bit of an aberration and will come hard in this game trying to get that top spot back.

Here’s what we, at CricTracker predict will be the final result-

Scenario 1: Adelaide Strikers win the toss

Toss Prediction: Strikers decide to bat first

First Innings Prediction: 160-170

Result Prediction: Adelaide Strikers win by 20 runs

Scenario 2: Sydney Thunder win the toss

Toss Prediction: Thunder opt to bat first

First Innings Prediction: 140-150

Result Prediction: Adelaide Strikers win by 4 wickets

Head to Head Record

Total Matches Played – 8, Adelaide Strikers won – 4, Sydney Thunder won – 3, No Result/Tied – 1

Adelaide Strikers

The Strikers might have lost the last game, but what was really positive for them was that their two big guns in the middle order Travis Head and Collin Ingram showed signs of returning to form as they scored more than 100 runs among themselves.

The bowlers though let the Strikers down in the last game. They had been bowling really well in the tournament but had a real off day against the Hurricanes and it eventually resulted in a loss. Travis Head will be expecting a much better performance from them at the Sydney Showground Stadium tomorrow.

Predicted XI: Alex Carey (wk), Jake Weatherald, Travis Head (C), Collin Ingram, Jonathan Wells, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Rashid Khan, Peter Siddle, Ben Laughlin, Billy Stanlake

Sydney Thunder

The Thunder will be mighty pleased with the form of Jos Buttler. They promoted them to open the batting and that move didn’t seem to be working at the start of the tournament, but they stuck with it and are finally reaping the rewards as Buttler is absolutely firing up top now. He had almost won the last game for the Thunder with a sensational knock of 81.

The other overseas signing Mitchell McLenaghan has however lost colour as the tournament has progressed and was very expensive in the last game with the ball. But considering how much quality he brings to the Thunder attack, they will not drop him from the XI just yet.

Predicted XI: Jos Butler, Kurtis Patterson, Shane Watson, Callum Ferguson, Ben Rohrer, Arjun Nair, Aiden Blizzard, Clive Green, Mitchell McClenaghan, Fawad Ahmed, Andrew Fekete

We believe that the Adelaide Strikers will emerge victorious against the Sydney Thunder.