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Sydney Thunder is fourth and can virtually finalise the Big Bash final four with a win over the Hobart Hurricanes at Spotless Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:10pm AEDT.
The Thunder hasn’t played since New Year’s Day and this is the first game in Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium. A win here will put a gap between the top and bottom four sides.
Things couldn’t have gone worse for the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Tim Paine broke a toe at training and played on but will miss here, Birt pulled a hamstring fielding and will also miss and they ran into Ben Stokes, a man hell-bent on proving the English selectors wrong for leaving him out of the World Cup.
It is not all doom and gloom though. This is what the Hurricanes do. They have never been consistent at T20 and invariably get themselves into difficult positions and must-win situations. Such is their history. A loss here and this game could be their last hurrah.
The only three previous games between these two teams have been in Hobart with the Hurricanes undefeated. Spotless Stadium is an unknown venue as neither team has played there.
The Thunder have lost Eoin Morgan (World Cup) and Andrew McDonald (injury). At the same time the Hurricanes as mentioned will be without Paine, Birt and Alex Hales (World Cup).
The Thunder is likely to include Mark Cosgrove to join former Hurricane Aiden Blizzard and also young English tyro Jason Roy. We all know how well the English are going after Stokes’ efforts.
The Hurricanes are likely to include the two Tiger imports this year Michael Hill and Dom Michael together with Pakistani Shoaib Malik. Malik will give greater balance to their team.
The Thunder are extremely strong in batting with Blizzard and Hughes surprising with their form. Jacques Kallis is proving his champion all-rounder status and is relied on to provide the balance in their side. Young guns Cummins and Sandhu head their bowling line up.
The Hurricanes will once again rely on Ben Dunk for a fast start and he will probably be partnered by Jon Wells who has done well along with George Bailey.
The losses in their batting may not be as drastic as it first looks. Tim Bresnan produced a steady first up effort with the ball and will support Xavier Doherty who has once again been the Hurricanes best bowler in this form of the game.
It will be interesting to see cricket in Western Sydney but the Thunder will want to be on their game and not in party mode as these are the games the Hurricanes win.
Prediction: Hurricanes to maintain their unbeaten record over the Thunder.
Can Sydney Thunder continue their resurgence under Mike Hussey or will the Hurricanes do what they do and maintain their inconsistency and win to keep their season alive?
Join The Roar Friday at 7:10pm for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
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