Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder Match 29: These Teams Share a Pretty Competitive Rivalry

• Sydney Thunder marginally leads the head-to-head scoreline against Perth Scorchers by 8-7.
• The Scorchers are coming off a four-match winning streak while Sydney Thunder has won their previous three games.
• Perth Scorchers have won 14 out of 23 matches at Optus Stadium.

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder Odds

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder Prediction and Pick

These two teams share a pretty competitive rivalry with not much separating them on the basis of head-to-head record. Sydney Thunder have won eight games while Perth Scorchers have won seven. Sydney Thunder may have won the last four encounters between the two but Perth Scorchers look in very good form. We predict Perth Scorchers to win this clash on Wednesday.

Predicted XI

Perth Scorchers: Adam Lyth, Faf du Plessis, Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis (wk), Ashton Turner (c), Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou

Sydney Thunder: Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Oliver Davies, Daniel Sams, Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green (c), Brendan Doggett, Usman Qadir

Table-Leaders Perth Scorchers Look to Overcome Recent Struggles Versus Sydney Thunder

Perth Scorchers is arguably the most dominant team in the Big Bash but their record against Sydney Thunder has been shaky. They have lost four of the last five encounters and it is something they would want to put right when two sides face off at Optus Stadium in Perth on Wednesday, January 4th. 

The Scorchers sit at the top of the table comfortably, having won five out of six matches in the BBL 2022-23. They have won four matches on the trot with the most recent one being a tense five-wicket finish against Melbourne Renegades. 

Andrew Tye picked 3 for 32 while Jason Behrendorff was terrific, returning figures of 1 for 17 in four overs. Chasing 156, Faf du Plessis made 39 off 29 whereas Cameron Bancroft struck a brilliant 46 off 32 in his first game of the season. Josh Inglis then scored 47 off 34 to put them on the brink of victory. 

Sydney Thunder have bounced back well with three straight victories, now sitting on 8 points from seven games at the halfway stage. In the previous game, they hammered Hobart Hurricanes by 62 runs.

The Thunder made the most of a good batting surface with short boundaries, posting a mammoth 228/6. Alex Hales smashed 77 off 45 while Oliver Davies played a 32-ball 65 blinder. Ben Cutting, playing his first game of the season, picked two crucial wickets to turn things in Sydney's favour after the halfway mark. 

Team News

This will be the final game of the season for Perth Scorchers' Faf du Plessis, who is set to fly off for SA20 league. Du Plessis, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie and Ashton Turner have been in superb form while Cameron Bancroft's addition has strengthened the batting unit. Adam Lyth has two more games to produce something. With Ashton Agar on Test duties, the Scorchers opted to go in with an extra batter, relying on Hardie for four overs. Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye and Peter Hatzoglou have been superb with the ball.

Sydney Thunder have recovered from their losses in personnel due to various reasons. Ben Cutting came in for injured Gurinder Sandhu in the previous game and made an immediate impact with the ball. Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew, Brendan Doggett, Chris Green and Usman Qadir form a decent bowling attack. The Thunder have a strong batting line-up comprising Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes, Rilee Rossouw, Oliver Davies, Sams, Alex Ross and Cutting. Davies was pushed up the order in the previous game and he was magnificent. 

Key Players 

Josh Inglis has been outstanding for the Scorchers in the ongoing season, playing a crucial role in the middle order. He has scored 234 runs from six innings at an average of 47 while striking at 157. Inglis has smashed two fifties in the tournament and is coming off a 34-ball 47 versus the Renegades.   

Alex Hales is leading the batting charts in the BBL 2022-23, having scored 245 runs in seven innings at an average of 41 and strike rate of 141. The Englishman has registered three fifties in the season, including 77 off 45 in the most recent outing. Hales, with an excellent T20 record, remains a key player for the Thunder. 

How to Watch Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder

• What: Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder, Match 29, BBL 2022-23
• Where: Optus Stadium, Perth 
• When: January 4, 2023 / 5:15 AM EST 
• How to watch: Sony Sports Network/Sony LIV (India), SportsMax (Caribbean), Fox Sports & Channel 7 (Australia) Sky Sport NZ (New Zealand), SuperSport (South Africa), Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports Cricket (United Kingdom)