Deadline: January 2, 2020 at 10:10 AM IST
Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney
Pitch report
The average first and second innings scores, at Sydney Showground Stadium, read 163 and 138 respectively this season. The team batting first won all five matches. Make sure you pick less batsmen from the chasing team.
Probable XIs
Thunder: Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Calum Ferguson (c), Alex Ross, Chris Morris, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Matthew Gilkes, Arjun Nair, Nathan McAndrew, Jonathan Cook
Stars: Marcus Stoinis, Nic Maddinson, Nick Larkin, Peter Handscomb (wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Ben Dunk, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Dale Steyn, Sandeep Lamichhane
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Match prediction
With 7 points in 5 matches, the Thunder top the points table. The only match they faced a defeat in went down to the super over. On the other hand, the Stars’ only loss came during a massive chase of 174 runs against the Strikers: they fell tantalisingly short by 4 runs.
Both teams go neck and neck in the batting department, but the Stars have more variety in their bowling.
Players to watch out for
Calum Ferguson is the highest run-scorer of the season. His 229 runs have come at a stunning average of 76.3 including three match-winning half-centuries. He takes his time and deals in ones and twos, giving an impression that he will play throughout without taking any rish. However, as soon as he enters the death, he goes berserk and changes the equation of the match.
For the Stars, Marcus Stoinis has scored the bulk of the runs. He bats much like Ferguson but offers no mercy when the ball is pitched in the arc. He is one of the most powerful hitters in the tournament. In 4 matches he has blasted 155 runs with a strike rate of 126, including 13 fours and 6 sixes.
Daniel Sams may have scored three ducks so far, but he has managed to make amends with the ball. His 9 wickets at 11.5 are the most for his team. He swings the new ball and then uses his variations at the death.
Adam Zampa got only 2 overs due to rain and it was the first time in the tournament that he went wicketless. In all he has scalped 6 wickets in 4 matches, maintaining an economy of under 7 RPO.
Nathan Coulter-Nile has been handy with both bat and ball. His highest score reads 20* off 8 and best figures are 2 for 14.
Glenn Maxwell has been on fire: his highest scores are 83 and 43, and also has a 2-wicket haul to his name. He will be right away in action if there’s turn on offer.
Usman Khawaja has been confident in his stroke play, be it pulling down the ground or executing a scoop. He has scored 2 half-centuries in 5 matches.
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket.
