What: Big Bash League
Who: Thunder v Heat
When: Sunday, December 21 – 7.10pm (AEDT)
Where: ANZ Stadium
I Can Watch It On: Channel 10
FOLLOW IT LIVE: Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat
Form Guide:
Thunder 2013/14: Wooden spooners
Heat 2013/14: Fifth
20-20 Vision:
The Thunder finished last in BBL 03 but they did snap their 19-game winless streak with a victory over the Melbourne Renegades. The men from Western Sydney have bolstered their line-up considerably with legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis headlining a list of recruits that also includes Pat Cummins, Aiden Blizzard, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Lalor and Andrew McDonald. Mike Hussey returns to skipper the side while and England Twenty20 skipper ODI captain-in-waiting Eoin Morgan also returns.
The Heat have named marquee internationals Dan Vettori and Andrew Flintoff for their series opener. Flintoff was a hit in the commentary box on Friday night and the England legend will need to fire for the men from Brisbane this campaign. Five other players - Ryan Duffield, Simon Milenko, Jason Floros, Jimmy Peirson and Nathan Reardon – are all in line to debut for the Heat. They finished fifth last season and will be hoping Flintoff can drag them into the finals this time around.
Reason To Watch:
Pat Cummins. The injury-plagued youngster starred for the Australian T20 side last month and is arguably the best young prospect in the game in all three forms. Just sit back and enjoy the way he goes about his business, especially at the death.
Reason To Turn Away:
If you're a Thunder fan the bowling stocks are loaded with talent but the batting line-up looks a little light on.
Say What:
"It's always important to start any season off with a couple of wins, especially for us. If we can win the first couple of games we can put it out there that we're a different team this year, and we're here to win," - Thunder paceman Gurinder Sandhu.
Final Word:
This is a tough one to pick. It's hard to forget the Thunder's woes in the first three BBL campaigns but their roster looks much stronger this time around. Flintoff's Heat travel to Sydney as favourites but we think the Thunder will surprise this season and get off to a winning start on the back of their impressive bowling attack. Thunder to win in a close one.
Teams:
Thunder: Mike Hussey (captain) Aiden Blizzard Pat Cummins Chris Hartley Nathan Hauritz Daniel Hughes Jacques Kallis Josh Lalor Eoin Morgan Andrew McDonald Dirk Nannes Kurtis Patterson Gurinder Sandhu.
Heat: James Hopes(c) Joe Burns Dan Christian Ryan Duffield Andrew Flintoff Jason Floros Cameron Gannon Chris Lynn Simon Milenko Jimmy Pierson Nathan Reardon Mark Steketee Dan Vettori (one to be omitted).