After winning the previous match comprehensively, Sydney-S and Adelaide will lock horns in the Sunday encounter of the Australia T20 League 2020-21.
Match Timings: Dec 20, 1:45 PM IST
Team Preview
Defending champions are coming off a spectacular performance against Melbourne-R. Sydney outclassed Finch’s troops in all departments. Riding on Josh Phillipe’s outstanding 94 guided reigning winners to post the first 200 plus score of the season. Bowlers were one step ahead in stealing the show as they bowled out Melbourne on 60, the second-lowest total in tournament history. Jordan Silk also fired with 19-balls 45 in the end and Sydney would be happy with this performance. They lost its opening game against Hobart in a silly manner. At one stage, they were looking to chase comfortably but fell short of 16 runs.
There is no clear update on Moises Henriques. He wasn’t included in the Adelaide Test and if Australia releases him, he might be available from next week. In both games, all top four players have got runs and it’s a great sign for the defending champions. Ben Dwarshuis has been terrific with the ball. The left-arm pacer has picked 7 wickets from the first two matches. Carlos Brathwaite got two against Melbourne and Christian scalped three against Hobart. Both are playing the key role as the 5th bowler and if they produce wickets, it’s a bonus for them.
Meanwhile, Adelaide also tasted the victory in the previous game. They faced Hobart twice in its first two matches and managed to get full 4 points last week. Adelaide welcomed his captain Alex Carey with a win. Bowlers restricted Hobart on 146 but in the chase, they lost two in the first over. Alex Carey and Jack Weatherald put a match-winning stand of 107 runs to script an easy win for Adelaide. Carey has provided good depth in middle-order, scoring vital 55 and his inclusion will help Adelaide to extend the winning run. Peter Siddle got a fifer in the previous game but Carey has to find a better 5th bowling option. Renshaw is not so effective in middle-overs and Adelaide tried three bowlers to complete the fifth bowler. Rashid Khan was not so effective in the first two matches but his crucial overs in the midway of the innings are important.
Pitch Report
Bellerive Oval’s surface is a pure batting track and the surface will get slow later the match progresses. It’s an afternoon fixture so we expect plenty of help to spin. Chasing would be an ideal call after winning the toss.
Possible XI
Sydney-S
Josh Philippe (wk), Jack Edwards, James Vince, Daniel Hughes (c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve OKeefe, Ben Manenti, Gurinder Sandhu
Adelaide-S
Philip Salt, Jake Weatherald, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (c & wk), Jonathan Wells, Ryan Gibson, Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Matthew Short, Danny Briggs
Key Players
Sydney-S
Ben Dwarshuis
Australia T20 League (last season) – M: 16, Wickets: 16, Avg: 26.19
This season – 38/3, 15/4
Josh Philippe
Australia T20 League (last season) – M: 16, Runs: 487, Avg: 37.46
Previous outing – 95 (57)
Adelaide-S
Alex Carey
Australia T20 League (last season) – M: 11, Runs: 391, SR: 122.32
Previous outing – 55 (40)
Matt Renshaw
Australia T20 League (last season) – M: 14, Runs: 348, SR: 129.85
