The second half of Sunday’s double header in the Big Bash League comes from the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground as the former champions Sydney Sixers enter the last chance saloon when they face the rank Brisbane Heat.
The Sixers have been crippled by injuries, if you forgive the pun. As a result they find themselves with just two wins from six matches and they know they need two big wins to finish the season to give themselves any chance of sneaking into the semi-finals.
Moises Henriques was a big injury for the Sixers but they’ve also been without Mitchell Starc for the whole season too. Steve O’Keefe has been missing on Test duty while Michael Lumb and Brad Haddin have been sidelined at times as well. Nic Maddinson has picked up an injury and he misses this game now too. Nathan Lyon returns to provide some player comfort for the Sixers.
Brisbane Heat have been every bit as rotten as it looked like they would be before the tournament started. They just don’t have a bowling attack of any kind and it is a damning statistic that in six matches in the tournament so far nobody has taken five wickets for them.
It hasn’t been much better for the Heat with the bat either. Chris Lynn has fought a lone hand with the willow. He is the only one to go over 150 runs for the season which isn’t at all ideal. One crumb of comfort for the Heat is the return to the squad of Joe Burns but even if they win their last two they can’t make the playoffs.
The Sixers on the face of it look a big price here and I might regret not taking it but I just can’t with all their injuries. That said I’m effectively on the Sixers to win anyway because a defeat for Brisbane will all but ensure they take the wooden spoon which I’m on them for so that offers some comfort.
In terms of a bet I’m going to back Nathan Lyon to be the top Sixers bowler. We saw in the Test match here despite all the rain the wicket was taking big turn and there’s no reason why this one won’t either.
Clearly Lyon is a class act and should dominate this level and it shows how much he dominates Sixers matches when you think he’s only played two of their six matches and yet he’s still tied as their leading wicket taker.
On this deck against a poor batting line up I fancy he could fill his boots again and at 3/1 I’ll back the off spinner to be Sydney’s top bowler here.
Back N.Lyon Top Sydney Sixers Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with Ladbrokes
