Thunder v Strikers BBL betting tips & odds | December 17, 2024

Thunder vs Strikers best bets

Thunder vs Strikers match preview

The Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers open their respective BBL14 campaigns in Canberra on Tuesday night, and there will be plenty of interest in how some of the new faces fare.

The Thunder were disappointing last summer, finishing bottom of the Big Bash League table. After a busy off-season, however, top cricket bookmakers have them at $7.50 odds to win the BBL 2024-25 title.

Teen star Sam Konstas is expected to make his BBL debut for the Thunder at the top of the order alongside veteran David Warner. The experienced Cameron Bancroft is tipped to drop down to three, with English wicketkeeper Sam Billings and Ollie Davies making up the middle order.

There are a trio of all-rounders in the lower order, with West Indian Sherfane Rutherford, Daniel Sams and captain Chris Green expected to deliver some big blows late in the innings.

Fast bowler Wes Agar has made the move across from Adelaide, while Black Caps quick Lockie Ferguson is expected to play despite facing a calf problem. Leg spinner Tanveer Sangha is the main spin option.

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After coming third in BBL13, the Strikers will be hopeful of another strong campaign. Most Australian bookies have them in the middle of the pack for BBL title betting, with some paying odds as long as $9.

Two-time reigning BBL player of the tournament Matt Short is expected to lead the way at the top of the order for the Strikers alongside D’Arcy Short. Veteran duo Chris Lynn and Jake Weatherald will be at three and four, while Harry Nielsen will take the gloves.

The Strikers have a pair of international all-rounders making up the lower order, with England’s Jamie Overton and West Indian Fabian Allen available throughout the tournament.

With the loss of Agar and star spinner Rashid Khan, the Strikers’ bowling attack is the weakest part of their squad. New coach Tim Paine has indicated that Adelaide will use the leg-spinning duo of Cameron Boyce and Lloyd Pope, leaving two pace spots, which will likely be taken by Brendan Doggett and Henry Thornton.

Thunder vs Strikers predictions

It is traditionally a very good batting wicket at Manuka Oval, so expect plenty of runs from both sides. However, the clear weakness lies in the Strikers’ bowling attack, which is lacking depth in pace bowling options. In a Thunder home game, they should be too strong at $1.82 with leading sports betting sites.

As the Thunder’s leading wicket-taker in five of the last six seasons, expect left-arm seamer Daniel Sams to play a key role in this clash. Tasked to bowl at key times such as in the powerplay, power surge, and at the death, Sams often sets up with aggressive fields. He boasts T20 experience from around the globe, so back Sams to be the Thunder’s leading wicket-taker at $3.60 with Bet365.

As the best player in the Big Bash for the last two seasons, Matthew Short is the most dangerous batsman in the game. He scored nearly 200 runs more than any other player last season, including six 50s in just 11 innings. At $3.40 with top online bookies, back Short to open his campaign with another half-ton.

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