Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL 10 Eliminator: HEA vs STR Preview Dream11 Possible 11 Pitch Report | BH vs AS Dream11 Prediction Today | Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers Key Players | Gabba Pitch Report

Compared to the more fancied Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes, the Brisbane Heat held their nerve beautifully to seal a playoffs berth. Chris Lynn’s team, who have often disappointed in recent years, won their last two games to seal qualification, after two thrashings before that.

The Heat will be making their first finals appearance in four years. So, how will they handle the occasion? Can this decent run of form turn into some good fortune for the Heat in playoffs cricket? They come up against a side whom they lost twice to in BBL 10, so they’ll be after a big performance in front of their home fans.

That side is Adelaide Strikers. Travis Head’s team lost badly in their last game vs Thunder, as they were unable to cope with Alex Hales. Now, their bowlers, who have led the way for most of the campaign, will be keen for a big performance against a Heat batting lineup that can go big on their day.

It’s all to play for now, as it’s tournament over for the loser, and the Strikers will be looking to utilise the playoffs experience they have built up in the last few years, which includes a Title.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Brisbane Heat:

• Marnus Labuschagne’s inclusion has taken the Heat to another level. He’s hit crucial runs in his three games (28, 49 and 46) and has been in the wickets (2/20, 1/10 and 3/35).
• Chris Lynn performed under pressure on Tuesday, smashing 51 off 25 balls in what was an elimination game for the Heat. He has had a fine season (10 inns, 420 runs, avg. 42.00, SR 157.30). However, he has a poor record vs Strikers (12 inns, 208 runs, avg. 17.33), so can he improve on this here?
• Jimmy Peirson has a good record vs Strikers (239 runs, avg. 39.83). He scored a brilliant 69* off 36 balls against them earlier in the season.
• Mark Steketee comes into the playoffs with 22 wickets in 13 matches in BBL 10. This includes three in two matches vs Strikers this season (nine in seven matches overall).
• Mitchell Swepson took 2/20 vs Scorchers on Tuesday. Key player. Can he improve on his record of four wickets in seven matches vs Strikers?

Adelaide Strikers:

• Alex Carey scored a superb century against Brisbane Heat last week (101 off 62 balls). Overall, he has scored 197 runs in four matches against them at an average of 49.25 and SR 142.75.
• Travis Head has made starts in BBL 10 (25, 31, 2). So, is he due for a 30+ score today? He averages 35.20 vs Heat (176 runs in six innings).
• Jake Weatherald is coming off a superb 80* (47) vs Thunder a few days ago. He scored 36 (18) vs Heat last week and is a key player today.
• Wes Agar is wicketless in his last two games. However, last week, he took 4/27 vs Heat, part of seven wickets in three games against them.
• Peter Siddle has taken 18 wickets in 12 games in BBL 10, including five against the Heat (2/41 and 3/13).
• Danny Briggs took four wickets against Heat in BBL 10 (3/20 and 1/28).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 13, Heat 5, Strikers 8.
• Strikers beat Heat twice in the BBL 10 league stage. The first meeting was a thriller, where the Strikers won by two runs at the Gabba.
• This is Brisbane Heat’s first playoffs appearance for four years.

Possible Playing 11

Brisbane Heat have persisted with the same squad for this match. Also, it is likely they will stick with the same XI that got the job done over Perth Scorchers.

Brisbane Heat: 1. Chris Lynn (c), 2. Max Bryant, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Joe Denly, 5. Joe Burns, 6. Lewis Gregory, 7. Jimmy Peirson (wk), 8. Jack Wildermuth, 9. Mark Steketee, 10. Mitchell Swepson, 11. Ben Laughlin

Adelaide Strikers have named their squad. Doubt remains over Ryan Gibson’s fitness after picking up a hamstring injury vs Thunder on Monday.

Adelaide Strikers: 1. Alex Carey (wk), 2. Jake Weatherald, 3. Phil Salt, 4. Travis Head (c), 5. Jonathan Wells, 6. Ryan Gibson/Matt Renshaw, 7. Michael Neser, 8. Daniel Worrall, 9. Peter Siddle, 10. Wes Agar, 11. Liam O’Connor

Gabba Pitch Report and Weather

Morning showers should clear by the afternoon and evening, which is good news for this match.

There have not been many high-scoring games at the Gabba this season. The average first innings score in five matches is 157.4. The chasing team won three of the five matches.

Also read: An Aussie’s passionate view on what went wrong for Australia against India

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

While the Strikers bowlers have done well throughout BBL 10, the absence of Rashid Khan remains a significant factor. The Heat, who are in good form, will be buyoed by the home ground advantage. Heat to win.

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