Sixers value to claim Sydney Big Bash derby spoils

Thunder v Sixers
BT Sport 2, 8.15am Monday

The Sixers look value at 5-4 to take the spoils in the Christmas Eve Big Bash League Sydney derby even if skipper Moises Henriques fails to shake off a calf strain.

The Thunder are a warm-order to prevail at the Showgrounds because of the potency in their top order of England aces Jos Buttler and Joe Root and experienced Australians Shane Watson and Callum Ferguson.

But all four failed to fire in their opening win over an injury-ravaged Melbourne Stars outfit in Canberra, which was ruined as a sensible contest by rain. The Stars' revised target was 90 off eight overs and their slog never got out of first gear.

Judging by their opening triumph over Perth Scorchers, the Sixers' attack is unlikely to let Thunder off the hook to a total as big as 181 if they make early in-roads or wilt meekly if they face an onslaught.

Chucked the ball first up, slow left-armer Steve O'Keefe played to perfection the role of spin sorcerer to leggie prospect Lloyd Pope's apprentice, having Sam Whiteman stumped for a diamond duck and leaving the three-time champions reeling at 9-3 after three overs.

Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott provided plenty of shape with the ball rather than out-and-out speed as the Scorchers fell 17 runs short of their target of 165.

The Sixers' top order also struggled but Dan Hughes and Jordan Silk showed with steely fifties why they should be considered established performers.

Two defeats out of two does suggest that Perth are no longer the Big Bash hardy perennials but the Sixers also won the Sydney teams' last meeting despite being out with the washing following a six-defeat start to the campaign.

Recommendation
Sixers
1pt 5-4 Betfred

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport