Event of the Day: Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers

Our event of the day is the Big Bash League opening round fixture between the Sydney Thunder and the Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Showground Stadium in the Olympic Park, Sydney. The city derby of Sydney is the first fixture of the new season of the Australian Twenty20 league. These sides have both won the title once in the previous six seasons of the competition, the Thunder in 2015-16 and the Sixers in the inaugural 2011-12 season. They both start the campaign of ten rounds and 40 games aiming for another title, which is currently held by the Perth Scorchers.The defending champions from Western Australia have three tournament trophies in their cabinet, from just six seasons. The Sydney Thunder will be determined to improve on their eighth-place finish in 2016-17 and show they can beat the best.

The Sydney Sixers are therefore a real test for them, as they were the runners-up last season, showcasing strong form and consistency. Although some players have retired or departed, the Sixers managed to retain most of their squad and captain Moises Henriques’ most dangerous weapon is once again Sean Abbott, last season’s best bowler with 20 wickets – five more than the second best. The Thunder have reinforced with the overseas signings of Jos Buttler and Mitchell McClenaghan, while captain Shane Watson has been in excellent form recently. More highly entertaining T20 cricket arrives with a new season of the Big Bash League, and the first match should deliver a fittingly high quality start to the tournament at the Sydney Showground Stadium.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the first two EFL Cup quarter-final matches. Arsenal host West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London; and Leicester City take on Manchester City at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. In the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The NHL brings the duel of the Vegas Golden Knights and the Tampa Bay Lightning at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London continues. In La Liga, there’s a meeting of Levante and Leganés at the Estadi Ciutat de València in Valencia.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by BBL