Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers: Big Bash Tuesday preview

Sydney Thunder endured a grim Big Bash League campaign in 2023/24, losing seven of their eight completed matches, so they are hoping for a fresh start at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Tuesday.

However, Thunder, captained by former Australia opener David Warner, face an Adelaide Strikers side who have won the last five meetings between the teams.

The Strikers reached last season's play-offs after finishing fourth in the regular-season standings.

They bowled out Perth Scorchers for 105 to win their first knockout game before being blown away by Josh Brown's sensational 140 off 57 balls in a Challenger defeat to Brisbane Heat.

Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers betting preview

Strikers bid to extend winning streak against Thunder

The Strikers have triumphed in their last five BBL clashes with the Thunder and they are 1.97 to make it six in a row on Tuesday.

Adelaide famously bowled out the Thunder for just 15 in a 124-run hammering in December 2022 and their last meeting in January was also a one-sided contest.

Leg-spinner Lloyd Pope took 4-22 to restrict the Thunder to 140 all out and Adelaide opener Matt Short struck an unbeaten 74 from 49 balls to seal a comfortable nine-wicket win in Canberra.

Short struggled to make an impact in Australia's white-ball series against Pakistan in November, scoring one, 19 and 22 in the ODIs and seven, 32 and two in three T20 internationals.

He remains a class act in the BBL, though, racking up 541 runs last season - 175 more than any other batter in the competition.

Short also took five wickets and six catches in 11 matches in 2023/24 and he is 8.00 to be Player of the Match.

Big-hitting teammate Chris Lynn, who scored 304 runs off 185 deliveries last season, is also of interest at 10.00 in the betting.

Young talent hopes to shine on Thunder debut

Thunder's poor 2023/24 campaign has prompted a squad overhaul and fast bowlers Wes Agar and Lockie Ferguson, along with West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford, are hoping to make their debuts on Tuesday.

England international Sam Billings, who played seven games for last season's champions the Heat, has signed a three-year deal with the Sydney franchise.

But all eyes are on youngster Sam Konstas, whose Sheffield Shield form for New South Wales stirred up speculation that he might open the batting for Australia in the Test series against India.

The teenager showcased his short-format potential earlier this month, scoring 107 off 97 balls for the Prime Minister's XI against the Indians in a tour match reduced to 46 overs per side.

Warner is reportedly keen to open the batting with Konstas rather than Cameron Bancroft and the youngster can be backed at 5.00 to score a fifty in the match.

Thunder skipper Warner, who retired from international cricket after making 383 appearances across three formats, is 3.00 to mark his first BBL outing of the season with a half-century.

The 38-year-old has rarely featured in the Big Bash due to international commitments, but he cracked 102 not out from 51 deliveries for the Thunder against Melbourne Stars in December 2011 and is 19.00 to make a century on Tuesday.

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Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers odds

Sydney Thunder - 1.85
Adelaide Strikers - 1.97

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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.