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The 2014/15 Big Bash League semi-finals kick off with the Adelaide Strikers hosting the Sydney Sixers at the Adelaide Oval. Join The Roar from 7:10pm (AEDT) for live coverage.
The Strikers have been the team to beat all season, losing just one of their eight games, with a non-result included in a rain-affected game against the Sydney Thunder.
Johan Botha has been brilliant in captaining the Strikers, regularly backed up by his players with runs and wickets sprinkled right through the team.
Meanwhile the Sydney Sixers have had an inconsistent season, winning five of their games and losing three. Their game on Thursday against the Thunder seemed to sum up their season – patches of brilliance mixed in with far too many patches of poor form. This has seen them finish in fourth position instead of right up the top, as they have in previous seasons.
In team news, the Strikers named Shaun Tait and Brad Hodge however both will have to pass a fitness test. Jon Holland, who was brought in to the Strikers squad for the final match of the season, has been dropped, along with bowling all-rounder Trent Lawford.
For the Sixers Moises Henriques is being released from Australian duties so he can participate and will resume the captaincy from his deputy Nic Maddison.
Young spin-bowler Luke Doran has also been added to the Sixers squad, in game that could well be won in the battle of the spinners. For the Sixers we see the almost international combination of Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon – with the possible inclusion of Doran – while the Strikers have young Adam Zampa and captain Botha. All of these bowlers have been in very good form and could really help their teams to restrict the opposition and take wickets.
The other key match up for this game is the battle of the opening batsman – Michael Lumb and Nic Maddison vs Craig Simmons and Tim Ludeman. Both Lumb and Maddison have been getting consistent starts but neither have been really able to convert them into big scores. One or both of these guys needs to get going and really lay the platform for their middle order.
Simmons meanwhile has been out of form by the standards he set last season, and will be looking for a massive performance to get his side off to a flyer. The odd one out in this group is Ludeman. Not known for his big hitting before this Big Bash campaign, he has lit up the BBL and will be looking to carry his form onto the finals.
Last time the Strikers met the Stars was earlier this season, the Strikers scoring a very good total of 6/182 before bowling the Sixers out for 159.
Prediction
In front of an anticipated 50,000 fans at home the Strikers should be far to good for the Sixers. Expect them to advance to the final at Manuka Oval on January 28.
Be sure to join The Roar for our live coverage from 7:10pm (AEDT) and leave your thoughts below.