The Strikers will be looking to continue their great run against the Thunder when both sides kick of their BBL 14 seasons in Canberra.
Head to Head
The Strikers have dominated the Thunder in recent years and are a good bet as outsiders here.
The Adelaide team have won five straight against this opponent, who themselves lost eight of their last nine matches to finish at the bottom of the table last season.
The Thunder have some good inclusions in David Warner, English gun Sam Billings and Kiwi speedster Lochie Ferguson, but there remains a big question mark over the depth of this squad, particularly with the ball.
The Strikers will get better once Head, Carey and Ollie Pope are available, but as it stands, Matt Short, Jake Weatherald, Chris Lynn and D’Arcy Short remains a formidable top four and Jamie Overton, Henry Thornton, Cam Boyce and Lloyd Pope remain a more than solid bowling combination.
With the underdogs winning eight of their last twelve at Manuka, take the visitors to cause the upset.
Best Best
The BBL’s player of the tournament for the last two seasons should again set the benchmark for all batters in this competition. The Strikers skipper has scored 25+ in four of his last five against the Thunder and in six of his last eight overall.
Value Bet
Weatherald has been in terrific form in the Shield, averaging 42, to follow up on his brilliant end to the last BBL season, where he closed out the season with three 47+ run scores in his last four innings.
Same Game Multi
Strikers H2H / Short & Weatherald 20+ Runs / Boyce 1+ Wicket
