Sydney Showground Stadium Pitch Report For THU vs SCO BBL 2024-25 Match 33

Muskaan Bhatt

Sydney Showground Stadium [Source: @ThunderBBL/X]Sydney Showground Stadium [Source: @ThunderBBL/X]

The highly awaited  Big Bash League 2024-25 clash between Sydney Thunder (THU) and the Perth Scorchers (SCO) is finally here. The 33rd match of the tournament will take place on January 13 at Sydney Showground Stadium in Sydney. 

The Thunders, are in third place with four wins and three losses, aim to climb to the top spot with a victory, leveraging a superior net run rate. The Perth Scorchers, on the other hand, are in fifth with three wins and five losses, they need a win to stay in the race for the top four. 

Both teams come off recent defeats, with Sydney losing to Hobart Hurricanes and Perth to Sydney Sixers, making this encounter crucial for their playoff hopes. As the two prepare to meet one another, let us take a look at the ground stats, pitch report and players to watch out for in this clash:

Sydney Showground Stadium Stats And Records In BBL

Criterion
Data
Matches Played 57
Matches won batting 1st 24
Matches won bowling 1st 31
Average 1st innings score 144.40
Average 2nd innings score 123.70

Sydney Showground Stadium has hosted 57 matches in the BBL. Teams batting first have won 24 times, while those bowling first have won 31. The average first-innings score is 144.4, while the average second-innings score is 123.7, highlighting the advantage of chasing at this venue.

Sydney Showground Stadium Pitch Report: Is It Batting Or Bowling Friendly?

The pitch at Sydney Showground Stadium tends to favor bowlers, offering challenging conditions for batters, especially in the early stages. The surface is known for providing lateral movement, which will be ideal for seamers who can exploit the conditions early on. As the game progresses, the track generally settles, becoming slightly more conducive for batting, but it still remains relatively testing. 

The seamers might also experience some bounce, which could keep the hit-the-deck bowlers engaged during the middle overs. Given the overall nature of the pitch and its tendency to assist bowlers, the toss-winner will likely choose to bowl first, hoping to make the most of the conditions before the track eases up as chasing sides have been more successful.

Players To Watch Out For At Sydney Showground Stadium

  1. David Warner: Looking at his record-shattering stats, Warner has switched gears in the second half of the tournament. He is the highest run-getter in BBL 14, having smashed 316 runs in seven innings. He is expected to make a thunderous impact in the upcoming clash.
  2. Cooper Connolly: Not too far behind Warner, Scorchers' star Connolly is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament. He has scored 305 in the last eight innings and is expected to heat things up in this mega-important game.
  3. Jason Behrendoff: The second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament and the highest wicket scalper for their team, Jason is a must pick and a player to look out for. His pace and apt bowling have been fearful this season and he is expected to once again shine for his team.