Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers are in the mid-range of the outright betting, but have made winning starts to their campaigns and will be looking to lay down a marker for potential glory at the expense of one another on Friday.
The Thunder needed all 120 balls to chase down a meagre target of 123 against Melbourne Stars on Tuesday, while the Strikers were a little more emphatic when registering a 51-run success over the other side from Sydney, the Sixers, the following day.
The home side have been installed as 4/5 favourites for this clash, while Adelaide are priced up at Evens to make it two from two.
Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers Tips
Team news
Although it was not the most convincing of opening victories for the Thunder, the Manuka Oval pitch proved to be problematic for all batters from both sides and they are likely to go in with the same XI for the clash with the Strikers.
David Warner is still away on international duty with Australia, while Tanveer Sangha is struggling with a stress fracture of the back and remains on the sidelines.
David Willey withdrew from the squad, but his replacement Fazalhaq Farooqi did enough on debut, taking 2-20 off his four overs, to keep his place and keep Usman Qadir waiting in the wings.
Much like their opponents, Strikers head coach Jason Gillespie is unlikely to tinker with a winning formula, particularly as captain Travis Head and Alex Carey are not yet available due to international duty with Australia.
Adelaide Strikers to win @ Evens
The Thunder won both of the regular-season meetings last season to finish seven points clear of the Strikers, albeit only one place better off in the table, but Adelaide got their revenge when it mattered, securing a narrow six-run win in the Knockout.
There is little to separate the two sides in the match betting, but the visitors’ bowling attack looks dangerous and they can help deliver a road win to maintain a perfect start for the Strikers.
There are key absences for both sides, but with Sydney having struggled with the bat in their opening win, Adelaide can capitalise with the likes of Henry Thornton and Rashid Khan providing excellent pace and spin options, while the wily veteran that is Peter Siddle showed that age is no barrier by topping the wicket-taking stats last season with 30, five clear of the field.
True, Alex Hales and Rilee Rossouw provide power-hitting strength for the Thunder, but they perhaps lack the strength in depth with the bat and Adelaide have the tools to put pressure on the batters with their array of bowling talent.
The Strikers’ batting looks short in the absence of Head and Carey, but there is confidence coming into this clash, with Matthew Short clubbing 84 in the opening win, while he was ably supported by Chris Lynn (41) and Adam Hose (40), as they posted 184-6 against the Sixers.
Jason Sangha – Sydney Thunder Top Run Scorer @ 18/5
Hales and Rossouw provide obvious threats with the bat and have been installed as the top two in the betting to finish as Sydney’s top run scorer.
However, neither come into this on the back of runs with Hales out for 16 against the Stars, while Rossouw suffered a first-ball duck and it may pay to take a chance on a higher price.
Jason Sangha fits the bill, not because he flourished in the opener as he only made 24 – still good enough to finish second only to Alex Ross (28) against the Stars – but he enjoyed two fifties in three innings against the Strikers last season.
The 23-year-old smashed an unbeaten 91 off 55 balls in their first regular-season clash last term, while he made 61 off 43 in what was a losing cause in the Knockout.
He has a more patient approach than some of his team-mates, but is certainly capable of big scores, as proven against this opposition and he looks worth considering.
