The last Big Bash League game of the year will have see the second Sydney derby played out at ANZ Stadium tonight. We’ll have live scores from 7.00pm AEDT.
It would have been difficult to visualise at the start of the tournament, where the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder find themselves currently in the points table.
The Sixers’ only win in the competition came in their opener against the Thunder before having to endure four successive defeats.
Thunder is the only team this season that has a worse record. Since going down to the Sixers in that derby game, the Thunder have regularly capitulated after the early loss of Chris Gayle and crashed to losses in each of their five games.
Batting has been their nemesis and it was no different couple of games ago – against the Hobat Hurricanes. After a Ricky Ponting half-century led the Hurricanes to 177, the Thunder replied with only 147.
Unsurprisingly, all six top order batsmen made double figures but none managed more than 24. This has been the story of their season.
Then against Brisbane, Thunder were bowled out for 126 with Chris Gayle’s run-a-ball 28 being the top-score.
For Sixers, it has been a lack of strong finishes with the bat. Michael Lumb and Brad Haddin showed form at the top of their order in their previous match-up, adding 57 in less than six overs.
The middle-order barely did justice to this start though, capitulating to 154 in the end, a total their opposition chased down in the final over.
Given how the points table looks, the Thunder seem all but out of the competition. Disappointed as they would be, playing for pride is what they could be looking to do, especially in a derby game and against a team which won its only match against them.
The defending champions Sixers still have an outside chance if they win all their remaining three games – something that should propel them to eight points. They will then need some help from other results but for now, Brad Haddin’s focus needs to be on devising a win-at-all-cost strategy.
We will bring you the live coverage throughout the game from the ANZ Stadium and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
Siraj
Guest
Guys relax Clarke was the first captain under which a sub continent player(Khawaja) played under and he will reward performance. Khawaja has to be the man to replace Hussey.
pope paul v11
Guest
Thanks i'll check them out. Khawaja and Hughes are also better than Warner also I reckon. Love to know why they hate Ussie. He was a good mate of the Kat. Intersestingly at the BBL they interviewed Cossie and asked him who was the funniest bloke in the team and he nominated Khawaja. Hilarious Iv with Clarkey this morning on ch 9 with Timmy Gilbert putting up batting names like Hussey D and Haddin and sagelike Clarkey going "oh yeah shouldn't matter whether you are 17 or 37". and not U T Khawaja.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Skoda would be a much better idea, though I imagine that they've got a contract with ANZ which would go on for a few years
Red Kev
Guest
Have you seen all the new SMH stories? It looks grim for Khawaja, the selectors clearly do not like him which is quite frankly stupid on their part, Khawaja and Hughes are miles ahead of all other domestic contenders (including Cowan and Watson) and should form the backbone of Clarke's side at three and four for the next 5-8 years.
pope paul v11
Guest
We went, it was great fun. Ussie head and shoulders above all others for all the good it does him.
Red Kev
Guest
Another glorious loss for the Thunder man they are poor this year. At least Ussie did good.
p.Tah
Guest
Why do they play these games at ANZ? 20k is a decent crowd but it is lost in a 80k stadium. Put it next door at Skoda (25k capacity) it would have a fantastic atmosphere.
Ezy e
Guest
Thunder will romp in!