Sydney Thunder betting

The Sydney Thunder have gone from zero to hero… and back to zero again over the last few years in the Big Bash League. No team has finished last more often, but can the Green Machine make a rare finals charge in BBL9?

About the Sydney Thunder

Established:	2011
Home ground:	Spotless Stadium
Coach:	Shane Bond
Captain:	Callum Ferguson
BBL titles:	1 (BBL05)

Best bookmakers to bet on the Sydney Thunder

Sydney Thunder fixture

Opponent	Date	Venue	Time (local)
Melbourne Stars	Saturday, December 12	Manuka Oval	4:05pm AEDT
Brisbane Heat	Tuesday, December 14	Manuka Oval	7:15pm AEDT
Perth Scorchers	Tuesday, December 22	Manuka Oval	7:15pm AEDT
Melbourne Renegades	Saturday, December 26	Manuka Oval	6:10pm AEDT
Melbourne Stars	Tuesday, December 29	Manuka Oval	7:15pm AEDT
Melbourne Renegades	Friday, January 1	Metricon Stadium	6:15pm AEST
Brisbane Heat	Monday, January 4	The Gabba	6:15pm AEST
Hobart Hurricanes	Thursday, January 7	Optus Stadium	3:10pm AWST
Perth Scorchers	Saturday, January 9	Optus Stadium	4:15pm AWST
Sydney Sixers	Wednesday, January 13	Sydney Showgrounds	7:15pm AEDT
Hobart Hurricanes	Monday, January 18	Sydney Showgrounds	7:15pm AEDT
Sydney Sixers	Monday, January 22	SCG	7:15pm AEDT
Adelaide Strikers	Sunday, January 24	Sydney Showgrounds	4:05pm AEDT
Adelaide Strikers	Monday, January 25	Sydney Showgrounds	7:15pm AEDT

Sydney Thunder squad

Sam Billings (Eng), Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Callum Ferguson, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales (Eng), Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Adam Milne (NZ), Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain.

Sydney Thunder futures betting

Online bookmakers are predicting another tough year for the Thunder, who sit bottom of the barrel in most Big Bash League outright betting markets. However, they could have a few contenders for the tournament runscoring and wicket-taking markets.

Thunder top wicket-taker tips
While they look light on star quality, the Thunder have assembled a very well-balanced bowling unit. Daniel Sams was the best bowler in the BBL last summer, Adam Milne and Chris Tremain bring good pace and clever variations, while spinners Jono Cook, Chris Green and Arjun Nair are all difficult to get away when they get it right.

Thunder top runscorer betting
The likes of Michael Hussey and Shane Watson are long gone now, but the top-order trio of Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales and Callum Ferguson is loaded with class and experience. Khawaja is out of the national setup at the moment and looks a very good shout to finish as the BBL’s top scorer this season.

Sydney Thunder all-time XI

Despite their constant struggles, the Sydney Thunder have had some serious weapons at their disposal over the years. The fact that many of these weapons were available all in the one season is a big reason why the Thunder were able to claim the ultimate prize in 2015/16.

Chris Gayle and Shane Watson at the top of the order speak for themselves. Some will suggest David Warner should get a run, but he has played only a few games for the Thunder.

Then, it’s the old men controlling things after a couple of wickets. Mike Hussey only added to the myth behind ‘Mr Cricket’ during his time as Thunder captain, leading from the front and making a ton of runs, while South African star Jacques Kallis – a man who many believe is the best all-rounder to play the game in the last 40 years – delivered runs with the added pressure of having one of the worst hairpieces in international sporting history on his head.

Jos Buttler provides some middle order dash and Andre Russell will be fondly remembered by Thunder fans as the player of the tournament in his side’s title run, dominating with both bat and ball.

1. Chris Gayle
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Shane Watson
4. Mike Hussey
5. Jacques Kallis
6. Jos Buttler
7. Andre Russell
8. Chris Green
9. Daniel Sams
10. Gurinder Sandhu
11. Fawad Ahmed