SYDNEY S VS. HOBART H: AUSTRALIAN T20 LEAGUE, MATCH 52 | MATCH PREDICTION AND FANTASY CRICKET TIPS

In match 52 of the Australian T20 League 2020/21, Sydney S take on Hobart H at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday evening. 

Sydney S ended up on the wrong side of a record-breaking display in the Sydney Smash as they conceded the biggest total in the league’s history against the Thunder. Their 3-match winning streak also came to an end with this loss.

The Sixers bowlers were thrashed to all parts of the ground and the batsmen were left to chase a huge total of 232 runs. Despite putting up a decent fightback, they fell short by 46 runs in reaching their mammoth target. M Henriques marked his first appearance of the tournament and top-scored with 56 runs. However, he could not prevent his team from losing.

Hobart H failed to repeat their brilliant performance against Sydney T as they lost to Perth S by 22 runs in the last match. They now have to win their final two matches to earn a spot in the top 5 and move to the knockout round.

The Hurricanes bowlers conceded 179 runs against an in-form Perth S batting unit. Nathan Ellis was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 34. The batsmen were unable to repeat their heroics from the previous game as three of the top four batsmen fell for single figures, which left the others under pressure and they ultimately fell short by 22 runs.

With the Hurricanes’ season hanging in the balance, they will come hard at the Sixers. An exciting match awaits us at the MCG.

Match Details

• Match: Sydney S vs. Hobart H, Match 52
• Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
• Date & Time: Jan. 24, 2020, at 1.45 PM IST

Probable Playing XI

Sydney S

• J Philippe (WK), M Henriques (C), J Vince, D Hughes, J Silk, D Christian, C Brathwaite, B Manenti, S O’Keefe, S Abbott, J Ball
• X-factor substitutes: L Pope, J Avendano

Hobart H

• M Wade, D Short, B McDermott, D Malan, P Handscomb (C & WK), M Owen, T David, N Ellis, S Boland, R Meredith, S Lamichhane
• X-factor substitutes: M Wright, N Winter

Weather and Pitch Report

The weather in Melbourne is expected to be a little cloudy during the match. The temperature will be around 33 degrees during the game.

The pitch at the MCG is a good venue for batsmen who are willing to spend time at the wicket and rotate the strike. Fast bowlers will get good bounce and carry from the surface. The large size of the ground also offers cushion to the spinners as they can toss the ball up without the fear of being hit over the ropes. The average first innings score in the three games played here this season has been 171 runs.

As the pitch tends to get a little two-paced and grip more as the match progresses, the captain winning the toss is likely to opt to bat first. A total of around 175 runs should be a competitive one.

Key Players

• J Philippe is the top scorer for the Sixers this season, with 441 runs at an average of 36.75 and a strike rate of 150. Chasing a mammoth target, he was dismissed for 20 in the last game. He will look to play a big innings against the Hurricanes here.
• M Henriques made a successful return to the Sixers lineup as the top scorer in the last game with 56 runs. Although he was not able to prevent the defeat for his team, his good form will be crucial for the remainder of the tournament.
• S O’Keefe is the joint-highest wicket taker for the Sixers this season, with 14 wickets at an average of 19.5 and an economy rate of 7.37. He failed to make an impact in the last game, going wicketless for 42 runs in his spell. He will look to bounce back in this match.
• M Wade’s return to the Hurricanes lineup was not a successful one as he was dismissed for only 6 runs. With his team struggling to qualify for the knockout stages, he will look to play a big innings and lead his team from the front.
• D Malan has performed decently in his first season in the Aus T20 League, scoring 220 runs in eight innings at an average of 27.5. Although he has been a bit inconsistent in the last few matches, he can turn his performance around for the last couple of matches left, starting with this game.
• N Ellis is the highest wicket taker for the Hurricanes this season, picking up 17 wickets in 12 games at an average of 21.35. He registered his best figures of 4 for 35 against Perth S in the last match.

Howzat Dream Team

• Wicketkeepers: J Philippe, M Wade
• Batsmen: J Silk, M Henriques, D Malan, P Handscomb
• All-rounder: D Christian, C Brathwaite
• Bowlers: S O’Keefe, N Ellis, S Lamichhane

• Captain: J Philippe/D Christian 
• Vice Captain: M Wade/D Malan

NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can select your own fantasy 11, and win cash prize. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual playing 11 is announced by each team (30 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the team suggested.

Get fantasy cricket tips on your favorite fantasy sports app and select your own team, Howzat!