Sixers vs Strikers BBL Challenger tips & odds – 26/1/2022

A spot in the Big Bash League Final will be on the line this Wednesday night when the Sydney Sixers host the Adelaide Strikers at the SCG.

The winner of this contest will go on to face the Perth Scorchers in the BBL11 Final, as the Scorchers secured their spot in the big dance after beating the Sixers in The Qualifier.

The inclusion of Australian Test players Alex Carey and Travis Head has given the Strikers a huge boost for the BBL playoffs, as the two international stars helped their squad overcome both the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Thunder.

The Sydney Sixers are a very well-balanced side filled with players who can contribute with both bat and ball, but their best players this season have been Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques. Both have made over 400 runs in BBL11, placing them in the top eight runscorers across the league.

Peter Siddle has a big job ahead of him following his pair of wickets against the Thunder, but will he be fully fit to take on the Sixers after appearing slightly discomforted by a sore back?

Sixers vs Strikers BBL Challenger predictions & best bets

To score 30+ runs: Travis Head

Travis Head has not slotted into the Strikers’ line-up as well as many pundits expected, only making a combined eight runs from his last two innings. But Head is an ultimate professional and will not be phased by those failures; instead, the 28-year-old should thrive under the scrutiny. We expect the former Adelaide captain to shine under the bright lights and lead the way with a big innings.

Sydney Sixers top bowler: Sean Abbott

A majority of the recent Adelaide Strikers dismissals have come via pace, which should give Sean Abbott some confidence leading into this contest. Abbott has taken 122 wickets throughout his BBL career, making him the all-time leader in the league’s short history. The classy paceman did not take a wicket in his last contest against the Strikers, but he is a big-game player who will lift for the big occasion.

Match result: Adelaide Strikers

There is very little separating the Sixers and the Strikers leading into this Wednesday’s bout, but we think Adelaide have a slightly deeper line-up of batsmen. The Strikers’ middle-order batters are all very capable players, which is enough for us to back them to make their second-ever BBL Final.