Having taken the Big Bash League 04 by storm, the Adelaide Strikers will now look to justify their top billing by toppling Sydney Sixers in the semifinals on Saturday at the Adelaide Oval.
The Strikers were the best side in the league phase of BBL-04, which in turn helped them make the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
Very much in unchartered territory, Adelaide will be wary of the more seasoned Sixers, even if they have form and momentum pretty much firmly perched on their side.
"I detected a real excitement among the group," said Strikers coach Darren Berry to the team's official website. "We have great facilities here in Adelaide, we've been the best team in the competition this year, but we all are well aware that the semifinal now is a really important match.
"We won't be changing our preparation or our plans, it's another game of cricket -- sounds cliché I know -- but it's the same preparation."
The Sydney Sixers warmed up for this big semifinal with a thrilling win over their rivals Sydney Thunder, and having picked up another victory in the league phase, the team in pink will no doubt be buzzing with confidence as well.
Also, with Brett Lee set to retire from all forms of cricket after this Big Bash season, the Thunder will want to give the legendary fast bowler the best send-off possible.
"I think they're a pretty well balanced side," added Berry when asked about the Sixers. "The two left-handers at the top of the order are dangerous players – [Michael] Lumb and [Nic] Maddinson – they're match winning players.
"[Riki] Wessels is also a dangerous hitter at the top. Their bowling attack has really good balance with Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger, and Sean Abbott and [Moises] Henriques as medium pacers. Then there's Nathan Lyon the test spinner and Stephen O'Keefe who recently played for Australia – they've got six front line bowlers.
"So I think their bowling is slightly stronger than their batting but they've been a successful team for a long period over the Big Bash. Trevor Bayliss, their coach, I have a lot of respect for because he's been involved in successful sides around the world so they're a very, very good side."
The Adelaide Strikers will be boosted by the return of the experienced Brad Hodge, who has recovered from a fractured arm suffered three weeks back, while express paceman Shaun Tait also returns after he was rested for the last game.
"He got through training no problems, he faced bowlers," said Berry of Hodge. "He's very keen to play so unless something happens overnight [Thursday], I'd say Brad Hodge is a good chance to play for us.
"Shaun Tait will play as well, he's an important part of our team. We've managed him through this tournament, obviously the big fella is crucial to our chances."
Sydney will have Henriques back after the all-rounder played for Australia in the tri-series win over England.
Where to Watch Live
The match is set for a 6.40 pm local time (1.40 pm IST, 8.10 am GMT) start with live coverage in India on Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD1. Viewers in India can also catch all the action via live streaming online on Starsports.com.
Australia viewers can watch the match live on Channel 10, with the live streaming option available on Ten Play or Cricket Australia Live. UK viewers can watch the game live on Sky Sports 2, while the option to live stream is on Sky Go or Watch Sky Sports.
Viewers in New Zealand can catch the match on Sky Sport or Sky Sport Go, while audience in the Middle East and North Africa can do the same on OSN or OSN Play. SuperSport will provide live coverage for viewers in Africa, while the game can also be live streamed on SuperSport Online.
