Big Bash 2021-22 match preview: Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers

Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the 32nd game of BBL11

What's the match?

Sydney Thunder face Adelaide Strikers in the 32nd game of the 2021-22 Big Bash.

When is it taking place?

The game is set for Sunday, January 2. The first ball will be bowled at 7.15pm local time (8.15am GMT).

Where is the match being played?

The game will be held at the Sydney Showground Stadium.

Who's got the form?

Sydney Thunder are in decent shape in the race for the playoffs having won four of their opening seven matches.

Three of those have come in the last four, including one of the stand-out results of the tournament so far over previously unbeaten Perth Scorchers.

This is the second of back-to-back games against Adelaide Strikers, having completed a 22-run victory on New Year's Eve.

Jason Sangha struck an unbeaten 91 as Thunder made 187 for 3 from their 20 overs.

Daniel Sams claimed 4 for 33 as Strikers only reached 165 for 7.

That was Strikers' fifth defeat in a row and while not fully out of contention to finish in the top five they need a swift about-turn in form to avoid missing out.

Their only win of the campaign came against Melbourne Renegades, who prop up the eight-team table.

Sam Billings has been in top form (Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

What's the key match-up?

Sam Billings might have half an eye on England's Ashes demise but this term threatens to be his best in a Sydney Thunder shirt.

He is just six runs short of his best-ever tally for runs, recorded last term when he made 260 in 10 innings.

This run comes at an opportune moment ahead of the T20I series in the West Indies later this month when he is expected to have a central role in the absence of Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow.

But Test cricket - he remains uncapped - is ultimately the aim.

"It's been a funny one. I've not played much (international) cricket," he said after scoring 67 in victory over Scorchers.

"I've been in a lot of bubbles, I've been in a lot of England squads and not played enough.

"For me at the moment, I'm just enjoying playing. I'm 30 now and I've just got to play cricket.

"But if that call comes, yeah, Test cricket is still the pinnacle."

Despite their wretched losing run, Strikers have a decent collection of batting returns within their line-up.

Five players have reached triple figures across BBL 11; Matt Renshaw, Jonathan Wells, Thomas Kelly, Matt Short and Jake Weatherald.

Kelly's form has perhaps been the most surprising. Playing his debut BBL season, he's been unerringly consistent, only once failing to reach double figures in what is a tricky position to bat in the lower order. It seems like a matter of time before he is given a more prominent role.

Who are the umpires?

Gerard Abood and Simon Lightbody are the men in the middle for this one.

What's the weather forecast?

A warm evening is expected in Sydney for the start of play and throughout, with temperatures hitting 24 degrees Celsius.

What are the squads?

Sydney Thunder: Sam Billings, Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja, Saqib Mahmood, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain, Mohammad Hasnain

Adelaide Strikers: Wes Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, George Garton, Ryan Gibson, Travis Head, Spencer Johnson, Rashid Khan, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells, Daniel Worrall

^{Thomas Kelly has been one of the breakout stars (Sarah Reed/Getty Images)}

What are the possible starting XIs?

Sydney Thunder: Matt Gilkes, Alex Hales, Jason Sangha, Sam Billings, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Saqib Mahmood, Tanveer Sangha

Adelaide Strikers: Jake Weatherald, Matt Short, Matt Renshaw, Jonathan Wells, Thomas Kelly, Harry Nielsen, George Garton, Rashid Khan, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle, Fawad Ahmed

What are the odds?

Thunder start the game as strong favourites at 4/5, with Strikers starting as 23/20 outsiders.

What's the prediction?

Strikers are running out of time to start a proper playoff bid and Thunder might put back those ambitions further. Home win.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports have bought the rights for the competition through to 2025, and they will broadcast all 61 games in the UK.

Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia: subscription broadcaster Fox show every game, while free-to-air Seven will simulcast 45 matches.

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball radio coverage of the tournament for UK listeners.

Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?

North America: Willow

MENA: beIN Sports

Sub Saharan Africa: SuperSport

Indian Subcontinent: Sony

New Zealand: Sky Sport

BIG BASH TEAM GUIDES (open in external window in app)

Adelaide Strikers

Brisbane Heat

Hobart Hurricanes

Melbourne Renegades

Melbourne Stars

Perth Scorchers

Sydney Sixers

Sydney Thunder

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.