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Sydney Sixers will host Adelaide Strikers in the 16th match of the BBL 2021-22 at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday (December 21).
Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers are all set to lock horns in match no. 16 of the Big Bash League 2021-22. The two teams will meet at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
The Sixers, led by Moises Henriques, are sitting in the top two on the points table with 11 points from four matches and a very good net run-rate of +1.66. They started the season well with back to back victories over Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes but lost the return fixture against the Hurricanes.
The defending champions bounced back to defeat the Stars for the second time in the season. The Stars posted 177/5 on the back of captain Glenn Maxwell’s scintillating 103 off 57. In response, Josh Philippe’s outstanding 99* off 61 took the Sixers over the line with two balls to spare.
Adelaide Strikers, led by Peter Siddle, have found themselves in the middle of the points table with 6 points from three games and a net run-rate of -0.033. The Strikers lost their first game by just two runs and then went on to hammer Melbourne Renegades by 49 runs.
In the last game, the Strikers were outpowered by 49 runs at the hands of Perth Scorchers. Bowling first, the Strikers conceded 195/1 in 20 overs and were bowled out for 146 in 17.5 overs. The Strikers, however, have claimed the Bash Boost point in all three matches, which could prove crucial in the end.
Key Players
Rashid Khan is arguably the best spinner since the inception of the T20 format. The Afghan leggie has great control and variations combined with high speed, making him incredibly hard to deal with. The 23yr old has claimed 403 wickets in T20 cricket from 292 matches at an exceptional economy of 6.36 rpo. As many as 10 times, he has picked four or more wickets in an innings. Rashid has done exceptionally well for the Strikers, picking 75 wickets from 53 BBL matches, with the best of 4/22. He has only taken three scalps in three games this season but will remain a key figure in the match.
Josh Philippe is amongst the best players in the Australian circuit. Philippe, regarded as one of the brightest batting stars, has had a magnificent record in the Big Bash League. He has amassed 1565 runs in 52 innings at an excellent average and strike rate of 36 and 145, respectively. The 24yr old has registered 13 half centuries in the league. Philippe has been in sublime form in the BBL 11, smashing 259 runs in four innings at an average of 86 while striking at 157. He played a crucial role in the Sixers’ victory over the Stars with an unbeaten 61-ball 99*.
Jake Weatherald has been a consistent performer for the Strikers over the years. The left hand batter has scored 1714 runs in the BBL from 66 innings at an average of 28 while striking at 133. Weatherald has registered one hundred and 12 fifties in the league. The 27yr old had amassed over 400 runs in the last two successive editions. He hasn’t fired in this edition so far, with 46 runs from three innings but expect him to come good at some point.
Sean Abbott has been an integral part of Sydney Sixers’ success in recent years. A clever seam bowler who can also strike the ball cleanly, Abbott offers a lot of value to the side. The 29yr old is one of the most prolific bowlers in the history of the BBL, being second on the chart with 109 wickets from just 82 matches at an economy of 8.51. Abbott has picked three or more wickets in an innings on 13 occasions. He was superb against the Stars, picking 3/14 and will be a key player against the Strikers.
Prediction
The Sixers have enjoyed an edge over the Strikers in the BBL with nine wins to five. Moreover, all the last six matches have been won by the Sixers.
Sydney Sixers have a packed batting unit with the likes of Josh Philippe, James Vince and Moises Henriques in good form. The bowling unit has been an issue for them but the likely return of Sean Abbott could strengthen them. Tom Curran has been ruled out of the tournament while Steve O’Keefe will also be unavailable.
Adelaide Strikers have a very good bowling attack, comprising Rashid Khan, Dan Worrall, Peter Siddle and Wes Agar. George Garton’s return will further bolster them. The batting department, however, lacks firepower, with a lot depending on Jake Weatherald, Matt Short and Jonathan Wells. They’ve been affected by the Ashes, with Travis Head and Alex Carey missing out. In-form Matt Renshaw’s return should give them some relief.
The Sixers, who are a much better all-round team but don’t count out the Strikers, especially with such a bowling attack.
