Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers Prediction: Sixers have better record in head to head fixtures

Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers are going head to head in the 5th Match of Big Bash League at North Tasmania Cricket Association Ground, Australia on 11 Dec 2023. Sixers have an edge in recent head-to-head encounters and they will be hoping to extend that.

Who will win this game of cricket?

The Hurricanes had a tough season last year, only winning 6 out of 14 matches and failing to reach the playoffs. As they start a new season, their ambition remains to win the coveted title once again. While Hobart has kept some of their key players like Nathan Ellis, Tim David, Matthew McDermott, and Matthew Wade, they have also made some new additions to strengthen their squad. Sam Hain and Corey Anderson have been brought in to bolster their batting line-up. Hain is a reliable middle-order batsman, while Anderson will join Caleb Jewell as a finisher. Together with the power hitters Matthew Wade and Tim David, the Hurricanes have a formidable batting line-up. The team already had a strong seam attack with Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith, and this has been further reinforced by the arrival of Chris Jordan and Billy Stanlake, the latter joining from Melbourne Stars. Patrick Dooley, one of the top wicket-takers last season, will be accompanied by Peter Hatzoglou in the spin department.

Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Matthew Wade (c) (wk), Sam Hain, Tim David, Corey Anderson, Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis, Patrick Dooley, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake

The Sydney Sixers had a successful start to their campaign as they emerged victorious over the Melbourne Renegades by 8 runs in the first match. They now aim to maintain their winning streak. Steve Smith showcased an impressive performance, scoring 61 runs in just 42 deliveries to provide the team with a quick start. However, due to the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, Smith is unlikely to be available for nearly a month. Consequently, it is probable that Josh Philippe will be accompanied by Kurtis Patterson at the top of the batting order. The middle order features skilled batsmen such as James Vince, Moises Henriques, and Jordan Silk, all of whom have excellent striking abilities. The Sixers displayed a well-controlled bowling performance in their opening match, with Ben Dwarshuis standing out as the leading wicket-taker with 3 wickets. Sean Abbott and Jackson Bird also contributed to the team's success by each taking a wicket. Tom Curran and Jack Edwards will offer further support to the seam department, while the spin unit appears to be lacking depth, as Steve O'Keefe is the only specialist spinner in the squad.

Josh Philippe (wk), James Vince, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Tom Curran, Jack Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Steve O’Keefe

The team that wins the coin toss will probably choose to bat first. The pitch at NTCA ground is ideal for batting. Although not many BBL matches have been played here, the average score in the first innings in the two WBBL matches held this year is 180. The pitch offers ample space and bounce, allowing batsmen to easily play their shots. However, during the second half of the match, the pitch tends to become a bit uneven, favouring the spinners. The weather in Launceston is expected to be clear, with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. 

Both the Sydney Sixers and the Hobart Hurricanes are strong teams, and there is no clear favourite to win this match. However, based on their performance in the opening match, we believe the Sydney Sixers have a slight advantage. They have a powerful batting lineup that can exploit the favourable conditions, as well as a strong seam attack. It is recommended to place your bet on the Sydney Sixers to emerge victorious.