Adelaide will face the defending champions, Sydney-S in Australia T20 League, to move ahead in the table. Sydney-S are coming off a defeat against Brisbane, while Adelaide have three wins from the same number of matches.
Match Timings: Jan 03, 1:45 PM IST
Team Preview
After a defeat on New Year Eve, Adelaide will resume its campaign in 2021 with a Sunday night clash with Sydney-S. Adelaide had a roller-coaster campaign this season with three wins and three defeats so far. They have been a top side, but a lack of consistency is hurting them. The captain was the lone warrior for Adelaide in the previous match, and the batting failure cost them three points. Alex Carey fought hard with 59-balls 82 to took Adelaide to 146. Apart from Carey, only two players scored in double digits. Bowlers tried to show some hope when they took three wickets in middle-orders, but it was a below-par score, and Perth crossed the line with 14 balls spare.
Matt Renshaw has been a big failure for Adelaide after his signing from Brisbane. Weatherald and Salt have shown some intent but haven’t retained the consistency at the top. Carey has been a key figure for Adelaide with scoring 161 runs from 4 innings. The skipper can back his bowlers, who were slightly better than the batsmen. Peter Siddle and Wes Agar both have taken charge in pace-attack following the quality spin of Rashid Khan. Daniel Worrall has also been impactful with an economy of 7.16, best amongst all Adelaide bowlers. Worrall is also handy with the bat and had scored 62 in the season opener. Adelaide are in a mixed situation, and they require support from its batting order.
Meanwhile, Sydney-S held the nerves in its last two encounters in 2020 but lost the first match in 2021, with a defeat to Brisbane. They have been clinically good after losing the opening game against Hobart. The defending champions remained unbeaten before losing the previous match at Gabba. Josh Philippe scored a fine 48 off 36 balls, but Brisbane picked wickets on a regular basis. Jordan Silk smashed 43 off 27 balls and added crucial runs with Dwarshuis to take Sydney-S to 165. Bowlers started the thing very well by keeping Brisbane’s chase tight, and it delivered an easy Bash Boost Point for them. Brisbane continued its issues in death-overs, but they survived the scars this time.
Jack Ball was supposed the get the debut in Saturday’s clash, but he wasn’t considered. Josh Philippe is in solid form for Sydney with scoring 220 runs at an average of 36.66. Jordan Silk and Hughes both had a decent season with the bat. The best part is, Sydney-S have the match-winners in the side, and they are a compact unit. Adelaide have to play its best game to end the winning streak of the defending champions.
Pitch Report
Carrara Oval is a fine batting surface, and batsmen can have a good outing with the bat. Pacers can also get a good amount of assistance. Spinners were in charge in a previous couple of games. Chasing is a safe call considering the rain.
Possible XI
Adelaide
Philip Salt, Jake Weatherald, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (c & wk), Jonathan Wells, Matthew Short, Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle
Sydney-S
Josh Philippe (wk), Jack Edwards, James Vince, Daniel Hughes (c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve OKeefe, Ben Manenti, Jackson Bird
Key Players
Adelaide
Alex Carey
Season so far – M: 4, Runs: 161, Avg: 40.25
Previous match – 82 (59)
Daniel Worrall
Season so far – M: 6, Runs: 72, Wickets: 72
Sydney-S
Josh Phillipe
Season so far – M: 6, Runs: 220, Avg: 36.66
Previous match – 48 (36)
Ben Dwarshuis
Season so far – M: 6, Wickets: 10, Avg: 18.25
