The Hobart Hurricanes will be looking to pick up their first victory of BBL07, but they will have to contend against a Sydney Thunder side looking to halt a two-game losing streak. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:10pm (AEDT).
It’s an all too familiar story for the Sydney Thunder.
After winning their opening match, the Thunder have since dropped their next two games, and at the heart of their losses is an inability to hit the big scores.
Thunder captain Shane Watson has been superb scoring two half-centuries in three matches. In the match he failed to score runs, Sydney were bundled out for a 110.
Just three games into their season the Thunder seem to be adhering to a worrying trend – if you get Watson early, you are half way to victory against the men in green.
The Thunder are not without batting talent however.
Young opener Kurtis Patterson has looked dangerous at times and new acquisition Callum Ferguson was impressive against the Heat with a 26-ball 37.
But the Thunder are yet to get much return from big-name import Jos Butler.
The English gloveman still looked out of sorts against the Heat and although he scrapped an innings of 23, it was struck at less than a run a ball.
After playing a close affair against Brisbane, the Thunder will now travel to Launceston to face the Hurricanes, an opponent which has dominated them – with Hobart winning five of their six meetings.
Hobart have had plenty of time to lick their wounds after losing by seven wickets to the Renegades back on the 21st of December.
Unlike the Thunder, the Hurricanes batting line-up looks strong, with the top five all scoring more than 20 against the Renegades.
The bowling, on the other hand, seems to be a bit thin.
Despite the brilliant debut of lightning quick Jofra Archer, in which he claimed figures of 2/17, every other Hobart bowler conceded more than nine runs an over.
Prediction
Both the Hurricanes and Thunder seem to be flawed teams and the contest could be decided by the side that rectifies or mitigates their weakness best.
Playing their first match on University of Tasmania Stadium, the Hurricanes may not have the same home ground advantage they enjoy, compared to when they play at Blundstone Arena.
However, Hobart’s strong top order and speed demon duo Tymal Mills and Jofra Archer may be too much for the Thunder to overcome.
Hobart to win their first match of the season in a tight contest.
Josh
Expert
Geez. Not a great season to be a Canes fan so far :/
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's all from me tonight, good night!
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Jos Butler is named Man of the Match for his 67 of just 41 deliveries.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The Thunder have got their second win from four matches after thoroughly outplaying the Hurricanes. Jos Butler was fantastic at the top of the order, taking a particular liking for Tom Rogers, smashing him for four sixes in one over.Ably supported by a well made 41 from Shane Watson, the Thunder posted a competitive total but it could've been bigger had it not been for a few self inflicted dismissal. D'Arcy Short and Alex Doolan got the innings of to a promising start but the Hurricanes innings never took off with constant wickets slowing the run rate. Spin trio Fawad Ahmed, Arjun Nair and Chris Green brought Hobart's innings to crawl taking 6 wickets between them, as the home team were dismissed for just 109. The loss means the Hurricanes will enter 2018 without a win from their two games, but they won't have to wait long to get a chance to exact their revenge with the two teams playing again on New Year's day
fred nerk
Guest
And so ends another drab match,The Big Bash is a bit of a Big Dud this year.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT It's all over! Sandhu finishes the match off in style for the Thunder as Mills edges the ball onto leg stump. Sydney win by 57 runs Mills b Sandhu 1 (7) 109/10 after 19.3 chasing 167 Archer 25
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Sandhu gets the last over
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Two from the over - McClenaghan finishes with figures of 2/19 from his four - another top performance from the Kiwi quick. 9/109 after 19.0 chasing 167 Archer 25 Mills 1
Paul J
Guest
Haven't seen the whole innings but is the bowling that good or the batting that bad
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Tymal Mills is the last man in, can Hobart bat the 20 overs?
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT And Rogers is gone for a second ball duck, what a horrid day for him. The tailender is completely fooled by McClenaghan's slow ball yorker playing all around it as the ball clatters into middle stump Rogers b McClenaghan 0 (2)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Tom Rogers is the new man in
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Six and a wicket from Green's last over. He finishes with figures of 2/30. 8/107 after 18.0 chasing 167 Archer 24 Rogers 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR Good shot by Archer, as he paddle sweeps the low full toss on leg stump past the fielder at short fine leg
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT The Thunder spinners continue to take wickets, as Rose tries to go big but can only manage to get it as far as long on. Rose c sub b Green 13 (17)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Good bowling from Green, firing yorkers into leg stump. Archer can only manage a single. 7/102 after 17.2 chasing 167 Rose 13 Archer 19
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Chris Green comes back into the attack, Archer could swing big here.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Hobart can only manage 1's and 2's during the McClanaghan over. Six from it. 7/101 after 17.0 chasing 167 Rose 13 Archer 18
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Archer has looked pretty decent with his bat, playing a classical cover drive in the previous over to go along with his six
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
10 runs come from the over. Pace from both ends now as McClenaghan comes back 7/95 after 16.0 chasing 167 Rose 11 Archer 14