Sydney Sixers will face Adelaide Strikers in the 11th match of BBL 2023-24 on Friday (December 22) at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Both teams have played two matches so far. The Sixers have won both their matches and are in third position in the points table. Strikers have won and lost one game each and are fourth in the rankings.

Sixers faced Hobart Hurricanes in their last game, where the Hurricanes won the toss and elected to bat. Caleb Jewell was the only batter who made over 20 runs for the team and made 42 runs off 24 deliveries. Hurricanes managed to post a total of 135 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Tom Curran was the pick of the bowlers for the Sixers and took three wickets for 21 runs in four overs. Daniel Hughes scored 60 runs off 50 deliveries and helped the Sixers reach the target in 19.2 overs with six wickets in hand. Hughes won the Player of the Match award for this batting performance.

Strikers took on Sydney Thunder in their last game, and Thunder elected to bat after winning the toss. The Thunder faced an initial setback, losing two wickets for just 27 runs, but made a strong comeback. Cameron Bancroft and Oliver Davies contributed significantly, adding 54 runs for the third wicket and pushing the team past the 50-run mark. Bancroft further anchored the innings with an 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket alongside Alex Ross. Bancroft’s commendable knock of 74 runs off 54 deliveries propelled the Thunder to a total of 200 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. David Payne and Jamie Overton shone with the ball, each claiming two wickets. However, a decisive opening partnership of 139 runs between Matthew Short and D’Arcy Short set the Strikers on course for victory. Matthew Short’s impressive 82 runs off 41 deliveries paved the way for the Strikers, who clinched the game with six wickets in hand in 19.4 overs. Thunder’s bowlers, including Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, and Zaman Khan, managed to secure one wicket each.

Sean Abbott missed the last game due to personal reasons and is back in the squad for this game. Hayden Kerr has also been named in the squad by the Sixers for the first time this season. Tom Curran is unavailable for selection for this game as he has been charged with a Level 3 offence under the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct, resulting in a four-match sanction.

Sydney Cricket Ground will likely have a balanced surface in this game. The average first innings score in the last five matches has been 156 runs. The team winning the toss might look to bowl.