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The 2013/14 Big Bash League continues on Friday night with the second match of Round 2 to be played between Sydney Thunder and the Adelaide Strikers at ANZ Stadium. Join us for live scores and updates from 7.30pm AEDT.
This game should be a good one, as both teams have some proven performers.
The Thunder will be missing David Warner and Michael Clarke due to the Boxing Day Test, while the Strikers will have a full squad to choose from.
The strikers have a strong batting line-up with the likes of Michael Klinger, Alex Hales, Phil Hughes and Callum Ferguson, while the Thunder have Usman Khawaja and Michael Hussey.
The Strikers are also no slouch with the ball, with the exciting Shaun Tait and the promising Kane Richardson leading the attack.
The Thunder’s attack also showed promise in their first match with all three fast bowlers bowling with a lot of bounce thanks to their tall frames and a spicy SCG wicket.
Both teams have experienced captains, with Michael Hussey leading the Thunder and Johan Botha leading the Strikers.
The last time these teams met the Thunder won by six wickets thanks to a 54-ball hundred from Chris Gayle.
Although their will be no Gayle heroics this time round, their are certainly a few players in each team that could do their best to repeat it.
Key Players
Sydney Thunder
Batsman – Usman Khawaja
Bowler – Dirk Nannes
In the Thunders first game Khawaja put on a 100 + run partnership with David Warner. But as soon as Warner was dismissed he seemed to struggle and eventually gave his wicket away. Will be interesting to see how he goes.
If he is on song, then he is a very good batsman who can hit the ball a fair way.
Nannes has been one of the best BBL bowlers over the last three years, and if the first game shows anything, nothing much has changed. At 37 he still manages to bowl at 140km/h and can produce a lot of bounce of almost any pitch.
Nannes bowls in the right areas and is also handy in the field.
Adelaide Strikers
Batsman – Phil Hughes
Bowler – Kane Richardson
Phil Hughes is a very good batsman who could definitely turn the game on it’s head if the Strikers needed someone to turn the game around.
Can be a bit flashy and edgey but when he is on song, he is almost unstoppable.
Kane Richardson is a young up and coming bowler who performed well in last years BBL. Can bowl mid 140s at a good length.
Richardson is also a good fielder and took a few spectacular catches in the outfield last year.
All in all I’ve tipped the Strikers , they have an all round fantastic line-up, with proven t20 players.
Make sure to join me at 7:30 AEDT for the final teams and the toss