Sydney Thunder BBL 2020/21 betting preview, odds & predictions

The Sydney Thunder were a team not to be messed with during BBL09, with an explosive top order and an all-round bowling performance to back it up.

Led by Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales and Callum Ferguson with the bat, and then Daniel Sams and Chris Morris with the ball, they Thunder progressed through the Challenger from fifth place and fell just short of reaching the BBL Final.

We will take you through an in-depth preview and Big Bash League betting odds for the Sydney Thunder in BBL10.

Sydney Thunder BBL09 result

The Thunder managed to overachieve in BBL09 by making it through to the Knockout and were only brought undone by a breathtaking partnership by Marcus Stoinis and Nick Larkin for the Melbourne Stars.

Usman Khawaja and Alex Hales starred at the top of the order, combining for 964 runs throughout the competition. They were ably assisted by Callum Ferguson and Alex Ross, who both made 350+ runs in BBL 10, whilst all-rounders Chris Morris and Arjun Nair provided some handy lower-order runs.

Daniel Sams ended BBL09 as the leading wicket-taker with a record 30 scalps at an average of just over 15. He struck on an average of 12 balls per wicket, and Sams’ seam pairing with Morris was a big reason why the Thunder went so deep into the competition.

Sydney Thunder BBL10 squad

Having lost the services of Chris Morris, the Sydney Thunder replenished their all-rounder ranks with the signing of Ben Cutting from the Brisbane Heat.

The biggest signing, however, is that of English star Sam Billings. The wicketkeeper-batsman is a superb asset for Thunder to have, as he can strike the ball all around the ground and is one to watch out for in the middle order when the run rate needs to be lifted.

The Thunder also picked up New Zealand quick Adam Milne, who bowls at 150kph on a regular basis and will cause opposition batsmen plenty of problems this season.

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 BBL10 betting odds

BBL outright betting
As the outsiders of the competition for BBL10, the Thunder will be looking to their depth players to get them back into title contention.

Their top-line talent in Hales, Khawaja, Ferguson, Sams and Milne can get them across the line in a handful of games, but the squad looks a little bit thin beyond the best XI.

Unlike most sides, the Thunder don’t really have a deep batting lineup, and most of their batsmen don’t necessarily roll the arm over either.

They could spring a few upsets, but we’re expecting them to miss the BBL10 playoffs.

Sydney Thunder top tournament runscorer

It’s crazy to think that one of the best white-ball players in Australia struggles to get a look in with the national side, but that’s always been the case with Usman Khawaja.

The Sydney Thunder will not mind one little bit that Khawaja is now on the outer of the Test team as well, as the left-handed opener will have a full season to build on the 388 runs he put together in BBL09.

Remarkably, it was a below-average season for Khawaja despite posting nearly 400 runs. If he can get back to his best, then the $2.25 on offer looks a steal.

Sydney Thunder top tournament wicket-taker

One of the best performers in BBL09 was Daniel Sams, so much so it has seen him included in the national sides for limited overs in recent times.

Sams had 30 poles next to his name last season and got them at a tick over 15 runs per wicket. His threat comes from his variety and versatility, as he is dangerous both with the new ball and at the death.

The X-factor of Adam Milne cannot be ignored, but Sams is the $2.37 favourite for good reason.