Two sides who could do their playoff chances in the Big Bash League the world of good meet in the only match of the competition on Thursday when the Brisbane Heat host the Sydney Sixers at The Gabba.
The Sixers will confirm their spot in the postseason should they win here while the Heat will move into the top five, which is the place to be with just two rounds of matches to come after this contest. Both teams have it all to play for.
Brisbane Heat
For a side with the power and the talent that the Brisbane Heat have, they are in danger of messing up this season, and it has to be said that wouldn’t be the first time that will have happened. This isn’t a must win match for them but they need to win it if they ae to retain control of their own destiny, and this late in the season that is the one thing all teams will be craving. A loss here and while the Heat can still progress they will be relying on other results to go their way.
The Heat have lost their last two matches heading into this one, and worse still they have been heavily beaten, the last one in farcical fashion with one of the more spectacular batting collapses you’ll ever see from a position of near victory. That came just after they were bowled out for 100 in Adelaide so their batsmen have a lot of questions to answer here, especially when you look at the talent that is on show in that line up.
Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers received a huge boost to their campaign last time out when they beat the Melbourne Stars, and while that win probably got soured a little bit with the Stars losing their next match, there is no reason why the men in pink won’t have taken a lot of confidence from that victory. They are now one win away from being guaranteed in the postseason, and if that comes here they have another chance to maximise their position.
The batting for the Sydney Sixers has suddenly caught fire and with a huge name to come back into the side for the remainder of the competition, that is unlikely to fade anytime soon. With the strength of theirs in their bowling attack you’ve now got to think that the Sixers are major players to go all the way to the title from here on in, especially if they avoid injuries from here on in. A win here would only strengthen those claims.
Team News
Test star Marnus Labaschagne has been named in the Brisbane Heat squad for the first time in the tournament here. He comes in for Jack Prestwidge in what is the only change to their 13 for this outing.
The Sydney Sixers also bring their Test star into their squad as Steve Smith lines up for his first appearance of the season. Ben Manenti also comes into the 13 to travel to Queensland although he will only play if one of the other spinners go down.
Betting
The Brisbane Heat are the favourites for this match but I’m not convinced they should be. This is a side who have just been bowled out for 100 and lost 7 for 15 in their last two batting displays and that just can’t breed any confidence whatsoever. It isn’t like they face a terrible Sydney Sixers bowling attack either, in fact it is one of the best in the competition with their Test players coming into it.
The Sixers have just seen off the Melbourne Stars which should be a massive confidence boost and now they bring Steve Smith into their ranks. They look to have the better bowling attack and while the Heat better them in batting power, they have just failed twice so it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world if they rein it in too much and get it all wrong. If they don’t rein it in we’ve seen their struggles so I’ll go with the Sixers here given that they have fewer issues.
Tips
WON – Back Sydney Sixers to beat Brisbane Heat for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Boylesports
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