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So the Sydney Thunder have won their first ever Sydney Smash against cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium.
Mike Hussey is the deserved man of the match with 80 off 59 balls.
There were some great performances with the ball by the Thunder, Andre Russell the pick, but Shane Watson, Jaques Kallis and Clint McKay also put in their share.
Not too much joy for the sixers tonight and they will be looking to regroup against the Hurricanes at the SCG on Sunday.
In the end, Game 1 of the 2015-16 Big Bash League goes to the Sydney Thunder by 36 runs.
The Big Bash is back, bolder and more beautiful than a bucketful of bubbly. The Sydney Thunder are looking to start their season by claiming bragging rights over city rivals Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and updates of the game from 7:30pm (AEDT).
This year’s Big Bash League couldn’t have come at a more convenient time, with the pink-ball Test the only cricket that has had us at the edge of our chairs this season.
Tonight’s opening game is the ‘El Classico’ of the BBL, between the Sydney Thunder and the Sydney Sixers. Okay, it does have an official name – the Sydney Smash – and the Sixers have won all seven of them. Is there any way that the Thunder can turn things around?
The Thunder are missing Usman Khawaja of the dodgy, hammies although coming into the line-up is Shane Watson, also of the dodgy hammies. Admittedly, Watson’s hammies seem to be getting better with age, and if his fitness holds up, he could be a key player for the western Sydney side this season. With no Test duties, Watson could be the most exciting player in the whole competition.
There is solid experience in the Thunder lineup with the ever(lime)green Mike Hussey and one of history’s great all-rounders in Jacques Kallis. The signing of Ben Rohrer adds some much-needed stability to the middle order.
You would expect their batting to hold up but what about the bowlers?
Losing Pat Cummins is a cruel blow, and the Thunder will be relying on Gurinder Sandhu, Clint McKay, Andre Russell and Fawaz Ahmed to stem the flow. The bowling attack is their weak link, so the Thunder’s chances seem tied to the batsmen stepping up.
The Sixers only just failed to bring home the big prize last season and will be hoping to go one better this year.
Brett Lee is gone, along with Mitchell Starc through injury (and international duties if fit). Josh Hazlewood will also miss a big chunk due to Australian commitments.
Still, some decent bowlers will be there for most of the season, and look to Dougie Bollinger, Sean Abbott and new signing Jackson Bird to test the Thunder batsmen, while new South African signing Johan Botha will apply all his vast experience.
Are the Sixers light on in the batting? A lot rests on the shoulders of Nic Maddinson to post a big score. Is Brad Haddin a bit long in the tooth or does he still have some in the tank?
With the bat or the ball, a lot also rests on the shoulders of skipper Moises Henriques – but his shoulders are broad, and he will give his all as usual.
It’s an intriguing contest with both teams evenly matched, but how much will history weigh down the Thunder? The condition of Spotless Stadium will come under scrutiny as well – the Thunder’s home venues have often had the most contentious playing surfaces in the BBL.
Prediction
Are there any portents to help us form an opinion on the outcome? Yesterday’s thunderstorm packed the biggest punch in the Sixers’ territory, so that’s enough for me to give my fearless prediction.
Sydney Thunder to win a close one.
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