“Momentum is with us”: Mind games ahead of Strikers semi
Sydney Thunder coach Paddy Upton says all the pressure is on the table-topping Adelaide Strikers in tonight’s Big Bash League semi-final.
Michael Neser is mobbed by teammates during the Strikers' victory over the Renegades on Monday. Photo: Mal Fairclough, AAP.
The Strikers lost just once in the preliminary games while the Thunder scraped into the finals with a four-four win-loss record.
Upton’s Thunder only sealed a semi-final berth with a last-start victory against Sydney Sixers – a sudden-death experience which the coach believes is invaluable.
“Having a really good win in the last game, after having tripped over a few hurdles before then, we’re in a good space,” Upton said,
“Momentum is with us and I think the pressure is definitely on the Adelaide side.
“We have already had a must-win game in our last game, so we have got over that hurdle and we know what that feels like now… we have got a number of players who have been in that must-win situation before so we have a lot of experience to draw on.”
Adelaide, who also hosted a semi-final last season but lost, have summoned Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardena into the side after a two-game absence because of a thigh strain.
-AAP
