KFC BBL 2021-22 Live: Match 38- Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder Preview, Prediction and Report

Key Points:

• Perth Scorchers have been fluent in the tournament thus far, winning eight of nine matches, and will be brimming with confidence
• Sydney Thunder have been a tad too inconsistent with their lower-order batting and that could be a factor in this crunch game
• Perth Scorchers are a better-balanced side between the two, at least on paper – albeit ever so slightly

Team Analysis:

Covid-19 is gripping the Big Bash League more and more strongly with every passing game and parallelly, the competition at the top of the points table is getting stiffer with every passing match. With Perth Scorchers running away at the top, there’s almost little to choose between the teams placed at the second and third spot respectively.

Things might well take a sharp turn in the upcoming match with Perth Scorchers taking on Sydney Thunder. Both sides have been in terrific touch recently and should put up a nail-biting contest.

Team Preview:

Perth Scorchers (PRS):

Leading the points table with eight wins from nine matches, Perth Scorchers are currently sitting at the top of the ladder with 29 points to their name and a net run-rate of 1.254. The only loss they have faced up until now coincidentally came against Sydney Thunder, the same team they are going to face up next.

In their recent matches, Perth Scorchers are coming off back-to-back wins after their match against Stars was postponed. Prior to that, however, the Scorchers suffered a rather uncharacteristic win, which might still be fresh in their minds. More recently though, they defeated Sydney Sixers in a low-scoring match as they defended a 143-run total in a well-fought match.

On paper, Perth Scorchers have a team that only a few teams can match, as far as the balance is concerned. The likes of Kurtis Patterson and Mitchell Marsh have been fluent at the top, being the primary reason for their splendid performance thus far. Also, they have the momentum and will be brimming with confidence. If they are able to play to their potential, they should be able to keep Sydney Thunder at bay, at least for this upcoming match.

Likely XI: Kurtis Patterson, CT Bancroft, Colin Munro, Laurie Evans, Ashton Turner, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Peter Hatzoglou, Tymal Mills, Lance Morris.

Please check the team once when Playing XI Announced.

Sydney Thunder (SYT):

Sydney Thunder did not get their campaign off to a flying start, but they have done a terrific job in getting into the top half of the points table. Not only they are going through pretty well, but they are also well-positioned to even finish among the top two sides, provided they get a couple of results right in their next couple of matches.

As it currently stands on the points table, Sydney Thunder are placed at the third spot with five wins from eight matches. They have lost three matches thus far, with most of those being low-margin losses. They have a net run rate of 0.653, which could prove to be a factor if things get tight towards the end of the league stage.

A win here for Sydney Thunder will put them in a pretty good position, a loss, however, will put them back into the mid-table muddle. Hobart Hurricanes are breathing right down their neck and a loss here will diminish the one-match advantage that the Hurricanes.

On paper, Sydney Thunder do appear to be relying heavily on their top-order, which has not disappointed thus far. Besides, Matthew Gilkes playing a terrific knock in their last match would certainly boost their confidence, as far as batting is concerned. With the presence of versatile all-rounders, the Thunder have a strong bowling unit with plenty of options available. All in all, Thunder have all the resources available to take on the potent Scorchers and if they are able to play to their potential, getting past them is going to be incredibly difficult.

Likely XI: M Gilkes, Ben Cutting, Jason Sangha, Sam Billings, Oliver Davies, Daniel Sams, Arjun Nair, Christopher Green, Gurinder Sandhu, Saqib Mahmood, Mohammad Hasnain.

Please check the team once when Playing XI Announced.

Squads:

Perth Scorchers Squad: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Kurtis Patterson, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Colin Munro, Brydon Carse, Laurie Evans

Sydney Thunder Squad: Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain, Alex Hales, Sam Billings, Baxter Holt, Saqib Mahmood, Jason Sangha