Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash
Perth Scorchers take on Sydney Thunder in match 29 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 6.15pm local time (10.15am GMT) on Wednesday, January 4.
The game will be played in Perth at the Optus Stadium.
This is an early litmus test of both sides' title credentials.
An in-form top two collide in Perth knowing that while victory would assure them of a place in the playoffs, it could act as a key phycological boost ahead as the competition enters the mid-way point.
Scorchers have taken control of the group phase thanks to four victories in a row. Last time out, they left it late to beat Melbourne Renegades to make it five wins from six in 2022/23.
Thunder have played a game more and will trail by two points at the start of play. After successive wins over Brisbane Heat they overcome Hobart Hurricanes by 62 runs on New Year's Eve.
The day presents the first Men's Big Bash League match at Optus Stadium when the LGBTQIA+ community will be championed.
Alex Hales (Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Picking up from his impressive T20 World Cup for winners England, Alex Hales has enjoyed a cracking start to BBL 12.
The Notts opener has gone past the 2,000-run barrier, the first overseas player to do so, and is only behind Chris Lynn for runs in the 2022/23 competition.
Scorchers' opening pair Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson will therefore have to be at their very best to nullify Hales.
With 23 wickets between them and their combined economy rate sitting below six-an-over, they are arguably the leading new ball pair in the tournament so far.
Forecasters are expecting a clear day, with temperatures reaching 19 degrees Celsius.
Scorchers have named an unchanged squad. English batter Stevie Eskinazi is awaiting his debut for the franchise.
Thunder are without Daniel Sams due to a groin strain. Ross Pawson has joined up as a replacement player for Gurinder Sandhu.
Perth Scorchers: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Laurie Evans (contract terminated), Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh (injured), Tymal Mills (withdrawn), Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Phil Salt (injured), Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Faf du Plessis (replacing Laurie Evans, first seven matches only), Adam Lyth (replacing Phil Salt, first half only), Stephen Eskinazi, Hamish McKenzie, David Payne (replacement for Tymal Mills for second half of the season)
Sydney Thunder: Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Alex Ross, Rilee Rossouw, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha (c), Tanveer Sangha, David Warner, David Willey (withdrawn), Fazalhaq Farooqi (replacing David Willey, contract terminated on December 23), Ben Cutting, Usman Qadir, Gurinder Sandhu (replaced by Ross Pawson), Sam Whiteman, Joel Davies
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Perth Scorchers: Faf du Plessis, Adam Lyth, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou
Sydney Thunder: Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes, Rilee Rossouw, Oliver Davies, Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Brendon Doggett, Nathan McAndrew, Ross Pawson, Chris Green, Usman Qadir
Jason Behrendorff (James Worsfold/Getty Images)
The defending champions start as big favourites to make it five wins in a row, starting at 8/13. The bookies meanwhile have Thunder at 13/10.
In form and at home, it's hard to bet against Scorchers but Thunder will be tricky visitors.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, with adult tickets starting from $27.
Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix. This game is available on Sky Sports Mix.
Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia while coverage will also be available via streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.
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