SYDNEY T VS. ADELAIDE S: AUSTRALIAN T20 LEAGUE, MATCH 51 | MATCH PREDICTION AND FANTASY CRICKET TIPS

In match 51 of the Australian T20 League 2020/21, Sydney T take on Adelaide S at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon. This is the first of the two consecutive matches between these two teams.

Sydney T came back to form in their last game and took down table-toppers Sydney S in an emphatic fashion. They are now in the third position in the points table with 27 points and need one more win to qualify for the playoffs.

A Hales scored a sensational 110 off 56 balls that helped his team post a mammoth 232, the highest ever total in the league’s history. Apart from him, skipper C Ferguson, S Billings, and all-rounder Ben Cutting looked good with the bat in the last match. The bowling unit has been largely dependent on leg-spinner T Sangha. In the absence of D Sams, who will miss out due to injury, the others will have to take more responsibility.

The home team Adelaide S are coming off a comprehensive win against Brisbane H. They are in the fifth position with 24 points and would be looking to clinch their spot in the knockout round by winning here.

A special performance by A Carey, who blasted 101 off 62 balls, laid the foundation for the big win in the last game. The likes of J Weatherald and Philip Salt are in good form too. The return of captain Travis Head in the middle-order gives a big boost to the team. The Strikers’ bowling looks in a good rhythm and is led brilliantly by W Agar and an experienced P Siddle. Despite the absence of R Khan, the bowlers have done a great job and will look to continue their performance here.

With just two games remaining in the group stage, it will be an exciting match at the Adelaide Oval.  

Match Details

• Match: Sydney T vs, Adelaide S, Match 51
• Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
• Date & Time: Jan. 24, 2021, at 10.35 AM IST

Probable Playing XI

Sydney T

• A Hales, U Khawaja, C Ferguson (C), S Billings (WK), O Davies, B Cutting, C Green, N McAndrew, T Sangha, A Milne, B Doggett
• X-factor substitutes: A Ross, C Tremain 

Adelaide S

• A Carey (C & WK), J Weatherald, T Head, P Salt, M Renshaw, R Gibson, D Worrall, D Briggs, P Siddle, W Agar, L O’Conner 
• X-factor substitutes: C Valente, H Conway

Weather and Pitch Report

The weather in Adelaide is expected to be clear and sunny during the match. The temperature will be around 38 degrees during the game.

The pitch at the Adelaide Oval has proved to be quite good for batting. Batsmen have been able to play their strokes well as the ball comes on nicely to the bat. Spinners can expect some help from the pitch as the match progresses. The average first innings score in the games played here this season has been 176 runs.

In the last two matches played here, the teams batting first have put up massive totals. So expect the captain winning the toss to opt to bat first to take advantage of the batting conditions. A total of around 180 runs should be a competitive one.  

Key Players

• A Hales cemented his place as one of the most destructive batsmen in the tournament with a brilliant century against the Sixers in the last game. He has now become the highest run scorer of this season. He will be looking to continue the same form here.
• U Khwaja has been quiet with the bat in the last few games since his 49 against the Hurricanes. Despite not scoring a half century in the tournament, he is the third-highest run scorer for the Thunder, with 274 runs at a strike rate of 134.31. He will look to play a big innings here.
• T Sangha has been the best bowler for Sydney T, picking up 20 wickets at an average of 16 and an economy rate of 7.92. He took 4 wickets in the last two games and will look to continue his good form against the Strikers.
• A Carey scored the first century of this year’s tournament in the last game. He made 101 runs off 62 balls with ten boundaries and three sixes. He is the highest run scorer for the Strikers and will look to play another big innings in this match.
• T Head put in a decent show, scoring 25 of 19 balls against the Heat. He has been Adelaide’s most prolific scorer for the past few seasons. Expect him to play an important role here if the Strikers are to make it to the playoffs.
• P Siddle made a strong return from injury in the last game, taking 3 wickets for just 13 runs. He has taken 16 wickets in the tournament at an average of 16.5. His threat in both the powerplay and the death overs will allow him to take more wickets here.    

Howzat Dream Team

• Wicketkeepers: A Carey, S Billings
• Batsmen: J Weatherald, A Hales, U Khwaja
• All-rounders: T Head, B Cutting
• Bowlers: W Agar, P Siddle, T Sangha, B Doggett

• Captain: A Hales/U Khwaja
• Vice Captain: A Hales/T Head

NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can select your own fantasy 11, and play fantasy cricket matches. 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!