We are right at the pointy end now! The titles of each final have already been a little silly and dramatic, but the ‘Challenger’ quite possibly takes the cake. Call it what you like, but a clash between the well credentialed Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers franchises for a spot in the BBL final is exciting enough for me.

 

The match is scheduled for 7:25pm AEDT at the SCG and Draftstars have put up a $25,000 contest as well as high roller and cheaper price options to satisfy all DFS punters.

 

Draftstars

 

Sixers Squad: TBA

Strikers Squad: TBA

 

The Sixers haven’t had much go right for them in the BBL finals so far, comfortably beaten by the Scorchers after copping both COVID and injury blows.

 

As such a cloud hangs over the availability of experienced top order batsman Daniel Hughes who is nursing a left ankle lateral ligament injury. Mickey and Jack Edwards have both tested positive for Covid-19 and are definitely out of the match against the Strikers.

 

The inexperienced Justin Avendano and Nick Bertus filled the top order void for Sydney against the Scorchers, leaving the men in magenta with a vulnerable batting line up that stands out as a concern heading into the penultimate game of the season.

 

A usually imposing bowling attack is also showing cracks in the wake of Perth’s scorching 3/189 last time out. Sean Abbott has lost his way over the last month and Ashes star Nathan Lyon has failed to successfully transition to T20 cricket in his appearances thus far.

 

The Strikers on the other hand… well they’re flying. Alex Carey and Travis Head make them a scary proposition with the bat and a seemingly unimpressive bowling attack just keeps getting the job done.

 

Peter Siddle is pivotal to the second part of that equation. The seasoned campaigner is leading the Adelaide attack with wickets and elite execution at the death, showing the way to the likes of Henry Thornton and Harry Conway.

 

Matt Short is the other man that makes the Strikers tick. He scored 39 (28) last time out against the Thunder before backing it up with 1/28 (4) in a performance that epitomises his season.

 

Looking for Draftstars scores from previous editions from the BBL? Our Free Players Logs + Ground Fantasy breakdowns are now available in our BBL11 Data Tools

 

Love It – Steve O’Keefe ($14,300)

Loves playing at home and is the bowler I can see troubling the Strikers most. SOK has avoided the form slumps that have hit many Sixers players lately and will be well rested heading into this do-or-die fixture.

 

Love It – Fawad Ahmed ($14,500)

‘Fuzzy’ Ahmed has thrived against the Sixers this season with scores of 118 and 68, not to mention he is well acquainted with the SCG. On a slate where value is hard to come by, the Adelaide leg spinner presents as a strong cut-price option.

 

Don’t Love It – Daniel Hughes ($11,700)

A touch and go proposition to make it on the park, Daniel Hughes will not have had ideal preparation heading into this one. The BBL veteran has had a mixed campaign but with only 7 runs from two knocks against the Strikers and an ankle that can’t be 100% right, I don’t think this is his night.

 

Don’t Love It – Nathan Lyon ($12,800)

He may be known as the GOAT to most, but I will be looking elsewhere on this slate. Lyon just doesn’t have enough variations and mystery to dominate a BBL final and the opposition have all the intel they need with Head and Carey on their side.

 

Who Knows – Josh Philippe ($18,700) - UPDATE: Philippe is now OUT of tonight's contest due to Covid.

Phillipe yet again finds himself in this section of the preview. The runs have well and truly dried up but something in my gut tells me this is a JP kind of night. As the key batsman in a depleted line up Phillipe will be expected to take responsibility and on his home turf the exciting opener could get back to his best. He also falls into the 'Who Knows' as there are question marks around his availability to tonight's game.

 

Suggested Draftstars Line-up - UPDATED DUE TO OMISSION OF PHILIPPE

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