Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers: Big Bash Saturday preview

Saturday night sees a massive Big Bash derby clash take place at the Showground in Sydney as the Thunder take on the Sixers, with both sides having opened up with wins in the tournament.

The Thunder claimed a thrilling two-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers at the Manuka Oval in Canberra a day after the Sixers secured a five-wicket victory over Melbourne Renegades at the SCG.

Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers betting preview

Konstas causes a rumble for Thunder

Sam Konstas has made quite the impression already this season and his 27-ball 56 in the win over the Strikers proved to be his last knock before being called up for the final two Tests of the Australia-India series.

That leaves the Thunder with a big gap to fill, with skipper David Warner having described Konstas as a "lock" to open the batting after his fireworks against Adelaide on his BBL debut.

Nic Maddinson is currently sidelined by a finger injury, so the Thunder have a tricky decision to make for the derby clash with the Sixers, although Cameron Bancroft seems a natural choice to move up the order.

However, they do still have plenty of batting firepower, with all-rounder Daniel Sams having blasted 42 not out from a mere 18 balls to edge the Thunder over the line with two balls to spare in their opener.

New Zealand speedster Lochie Ferguson took three wickets against the Strikers, as did Chris Green, who has just signed a new contract to extend his stay with the Thunder, who will be out to snap a run of five consecutives losses to the Sixers.

Sixers suffer double injury blow

The Sixers may have made a winning start against the Renegades, but the victory came at the coast of a couple of significant injuries.

Batter Daniel Hughes landed awkwardly when he was fielding and will miss the rest of the tournament as he re-injured the ligaments in his left elbow, while all-rounder Hayden Kerr suffered a hamstring injury while batting.

Lachlan Shaw was named as a local replacement for Steve Smith and could be the player to step in for the stricken Hughes.

Skipper Moises Henriques stepped up to make a crucial 53 not out from 27 balls to see the Sixers home at the SCG, while Englishman James Vince showed some welcome form with 40 from 29 deliveries.

Sean Abbott took two wickets against Melbourne and he has also been named in the squads for the fourth and fifth Tests against India, so his availability, like that of Konstas, is something of a question mark.

Sixers dominate derby record

These two franchises have met in 24 completed Big Bash matches and it is the Sixers who have enjoyed by far the better of the rivalry, winning 16 times and losing on just seven occasions.

The Sixers won the first seven clashes between these two sides and have also won the last five completed match-ups, including a 19-run victory at the SCG when they last met in January earlier this year.

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Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers odds

Sydney Thunder - 2.00
Sydney Sixers - 1.82

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.