Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists
Hobart Hurricanes take on Sydney Thunder in the 2021-22 Big Bash.
The game is set for Monday, January 10. The first ball will be bowled at 2.10pm local time (3.10am GMT).
The game will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
This match pits second against fourth with Sydney Thunder pushing hard for a top-two finish and Hobart Hurricanes hoping to extend their lead over Brisbane Heat (5th) and Melbourne Renegades (6th) to nine points.
Sydney Thunder are the form team in BBL11, with five consecutive wins to their name and only one defeat since Christmas Day. After 10 matches, they are also the only team to defeat Perth Scorchers, triumphing over the three-time champions on two occasions.
Hobart Hurricanes, meanwhile, have won four of their past six matches.
Ben McDermott is the current golden bat [Mark Brake/Getty Images]
This match pits the free-scoring Ben McDermott against a Thunder bowling attack which includes Mohammad Hasnain, Gurinder Sandhu and Daniel Sams.
McDermott is the runaway golden bat, scoring 457 runs (including two centuries) in just eight innings - over 100 more than his nearest challenger. He heads into this match with a strike rate of 161.48 and knocks of 110 not out, 127 and 93 in three of his past five innings.
However, he will face a stern test against Thunder. While a touch expensive at times, Sams is Thunder's leading wicket-taker with 14 dismissals in 35 overs and is very much in the hunt for his second golden arm award. He's also once again shown his flair with the bat, scoring 98 off 44 against the Renegades.
Hasnain has proved himself to be a shrewd signing. The Pakistan international has taken six wickets in two matches and is dynamite in the powerplay.
Sandhu, meanwhile, went three matches without taking a wicket before taking 4 for 22 - including a hattrick - against Perth Scorchers and 2 for 8 against Melbourne Renegades in his past two innings.
Elsewhere, Tom Rogers is enjoying a productive season with the ball for the Hurricanes, taking 15 wickets and recording an economy of 7.05. He will have his eye on dismissing dangermen Alex Hales - who scored a half-century against the Renegades - and Jason Sangha early doors.
Sunny conditions are expected in Melbourne with temperatures hovering around 28 degrees Celsius at the start of play.
Hobart Hurricanes: Scott Boland, Harry Brook (Jordan Cox), Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Peter Handscomb, Caleb Jewell, Josh Kann, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, Tom Rogers, D’Arcy Short, Jordan Thompson (Tom Lammonby), Matthew Wade, Mac Wright
Sydney Thunder: Sam Billings, Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja, Saqib Mahmood, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain, Mohammad Hasnain
Daniel Sams is a threat with bat and ball [Mike Owen/Getty Images]
Hobart Hurricanes: Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Peter Handscomb, D'Arcy Short, Tim David, Tom Lammonby, Mitchell Owen, Tom Rogers, Will Sanders, Riley Meredith, Sandeep Lamichhane
Sydney Thunder: Matt Gilkes, Alex Hales, Jason Sangha, Daniel Sams, Oliver Davies, Ben Cutting, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Gurinder Sandhu, Tanveer Sangha, Mohammad Hasnain
Oddschecker have installed Sydney Thunder as the favourites for this match, offering odds of 4/5. Hobart Hurricanes are available at 6/5.
Both teams are in excellent form heading into this match and both have a lot to play for. If Ben McDermott goes big, it will be a tough day for Thunder. However, if they can get him out early doors then they should cruise to victory.
Sky Sports have bought the rights for the competition through to 2025, and they will broadcast all 61 games in the UK.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia: subscription broadcaster Fox show every game, while free-to-air Seven will simulcast 45 matches.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball radio coverage of the tournament for UK listeners.
Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?
North America: Willow
MENA: beIN Sports
Sub Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Indian Subcontinent: Sony
New Zealand: Sky Sport
BIG BASH TEAM GUIDES (open in external window in app)
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.