Scorchers vs Thunder Preview

Posted on January 6, 2016January 28, 2016 | Posted by Wayne Clark

Thursday 7th January – Spotless Stadium

This should be another tight contest and an important one for each side as finals loom.  Both sit with three wins two losses and I estimate four wins will probably secure a finals berth, or go very close.

The Scorchers were disappointing against the Strikers, and their inability to develop a batting partnership would have disappointed the coach.  This will be Shaun Marsh’s final game before leaving for the ODI’s and his performance with Michael Klinger will again have a huge influence.  The reliance on these two is a real concern for me and others need to step up.  Maybe the hierarchy will consider promoting Willey up the list to give him more time to build his innings.  He looks very dangerous.

The pressure again will be on the Scorchers bowlers if they are to win this game.  Hoggy, though generally tight, has only taken one wicket in the series and early wickets from Behrendorf, Willey and Paris will be necessary against a strong Thunder batting line-up.

There has been a great reliance on Hussey for the Thunder, but Kallis and Watson have shown in the last couple of innings that they are poised for something special.  Add the big hitting of Blizzard and Russell and a formidable total looks possible.  Winning scores on this ground, this season have been 158 and 121 and the Thunders attack has adapted well.  McKay, Russell and Ahmed have all been regular wicket-takers.

Because the Thunder has the experience of playing at Spotless Stadium I believe it sways the game in their favour and I’m selecting them to inflict another defeat on the Scorchers.

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[th_column]Most Runs[/th_column]
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[row_column]Scorchers[/row_column]
[row_column]Michael Klinger[/row_column]
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[row_column]Shane Watson[/row_column]
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[row_column]David Willey[/row_column]
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[row_column]Clint McKay[/row_column]
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[th_column]Most Sixes[/th_column]
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[row_column]Sydney Thunder[/row_column]
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