Sydney-S vs Perth-S, Australia T20 League 2020-21, Final, Match Preview
Sydney-S and Perth will fight out for the title in the Australia T20 League 2020-21 final. Sydney-S made into the successive final after winning the qualifier, while Perth defeated Brisbane in a challenger game to earn the finals' ticket.
Match Timings: Feb 06, 2:10 PM IST
Team Preview
The top two sides of the season 2020-21, Perth and Sydney-S, will face in the title finale. Sydney-S are on the verge of defending its title, and Perth will look for the 5th title to become one of the most successful franchises in the world, joining Mumbai’s 5 title triumphs record in Indian T20 League. Both sides locked horns in the qualifier game, where Sydney easily edged past Perth by 9 wickets. James Vince missed out a ton, thanks to Tye’s wide-ball to assure Sydney’s win. Sydney-S and Perth finished in the top two in the points table, and they truly deserve to play in the final.
Perth’s campaign has been an inspiring story. After finding no victory in the first three matches, Perth ended the league-stage on number two with eight wins. The batting lineup is in good form. Livingstone played a blistering knock in the last outing, and Bancroft also looked better in the opening slot. Perth’s five batsmen have scored more than 300 runs, and they have the match-winners at every position. Inglis and Munro both have been the X-factor who can take the game away from any opposition. Marsh and Turner can step up for the acceleration in death-overs. The bowling would rely more on Jhye Richardson, who has bagged 27 wickets at an average of 15.85. Tye and Behrendorff are both giving enough support to Richardson. Fawad Ahmed has also been a key factor with his leg-break spin. Perth has enough balance, and they have beaten Sydney-S earlier in the league-stage with a heavy margin.
Meanwhile, Sydney-S are a dangerous unit, and they have been clinically good with its powerpack unit. They have the match-winners like Daniel Christian and Moises Henriques who can change the game within few balls. Josh Philippe was awarded the player of the tournament, and the wicketkeeper-batsman has aggregated 499 runs so far at an average of 33.26. James Vince is also in tremendous form with scoring 442 runs at an average of 34. Daniel Christian has scored 252 runs and scalped 13 wickets so far. The bowling unit doesn’t rely on an individual as they have the balance in it. Brathwaite came out as a prime bowler this season, and Daniel Christian can also deliver as the sixth bowler. Steve OKeefe is leading the spin-attack, and he is a key figure in middle-overs. Sydney-S are the favourites, and they overcame Perth twice this season. Toss will be important, and changes are unlikely to happen from defending champions.
Pitch Report
SCG’s track is good for batting. We haven’t seen any turnaround in favour of bowlers in the last few matches. Spinners can control due to sluggish behavior, and in night fixtures, the assistance to spin will not be so big. The chasing side will have an advantage.
Possible XI
Sydney-S
Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Steve OKeefe, Jackson Bird
Perth-S
Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner (c), Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed
Key Players
Sydney-S
Josh Philippe
Season so far – M: 15, Runs: 499, Avg: 33.26
Daniel Christian
Season so far – M: 15, Runs: 252, Wickets: 13
Perth-S
Colin Munro
Season so far – M: 15, Runs: 441, Avg: 33.92
Jason Roy
Season so far – M: 11, Runs: 355, Avg: 32.27
