Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the 20th game of BBL11
Sydney Thunder take on Sydney Sixers in the 20th game of the 2021-22 Big Bash.
The game is set for Sunday, December 26. The first ball will be bowled at 6.05pm local time (7.05am GMT).
The game will be held at the Sydney Showground Stadium.
Sydney Sixers have enjoyed a solid start to their title defence, winning four of their five matches. The three-time champions started the tournament with back-to-back victories over Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes before suffering a surprise 44-run defeat against the latter to slip to their first defeat of the season.
However, they quickly returned to winning ways, narrowly defeating Melbourne Stars by seven wickets before defeating Adelaide Strikers by four wickets on December 21.
One area where the Sixers have struggled is the Bash Boost point, picking up just two points from a possible five.
Sydney Thunder, meanwhile, have had mixed fortunes, defeating Brisbane Heat twice either side of back-to-back defeats against Melbourne Stars.
However, in their most recent outing, Thunder smashed 196 runs with the bat to set Brisbane Heat an intimidating chase before bowling them out for 143 with 2.3 overs to spare.
Josh Philippe is the current golden bat with 282 runs in five innings [Darrian Traynor/Getty Images]
Sam Billings has been in good form for Thunder, opening his tournament with knocks of 44 not out and 43 before striking 64 off just 27 balls against Brisbane Heat in his most recent outing. And with the Sydney Sixers bowling attack significantly weakened by injuries Tom Curran, Steve O'Keefe and Ben Manenti (to name just a few), he will be hoping to capitalise.
That said, if new recruit Shadab Khan is available, he will offer the Sixers some much-needed bowling depth and is a shrewd replacement for the miserly O'Keefe.
For the Sixers, Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques have been in electric form. Philippe has scored a tournament-leading 282 runs, including three half-centuries, in five innings while Henriques is second in the golden bat standings, with 232 runs. Both players are scoring at intimidating 145-plus strike rates.
Jordan Silk also came into form against Adelaide Strikers, posting a match-winning 36 from 24 balls from the middle order.
However, Thunder fast bowler Saqib Mahmood took 4 for 22 on debut againt Brisbane Heat. And, with Pakistan quick Mohammad Hasnain possibly available for the Thunder, it could be a tough day at the office for the defending champions.
Greg Davidson and Bruce Oxenford are the men in the middle for this one.
Sunny conditions are forecast throughout the day in Sydney but proceedings are expected to take a damp turn later in the evening.
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
Sydney Sixers: Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird (Lawrence Neil-Smith), Daniel Christian, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Chris Jordan (first five matches), Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon (Nick Winter), Ben Manenti, Stephen O'Keefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Shadab Khan
Saqib Mahmood (centre) [Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images]
Sydney Thunder: Matt Gilkes, Alex Hales, Jason Sangha, Sam Billings, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Alex Ross, Chris Green, Mohammad Hasnain, Saqib Mahmood, Tanveer Sangha
Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe, James Vince, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Sean Abbott, Hayden Kerr, Chris Jordan, Ben Dwarshuis, Shadab Khan
Oddschecker have installed Sydney Sixers as the favourites for this match, offering odds of 8/11. Sydney Thunder are available at 15/13.
If Mahmood can remove Philippe, Vince and Henriques early doors then this match is Thunder's for the taking. If one of those three players survives, it should be magenta all the way.
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)
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