Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL09 Match 25: ST vs BH Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report BBL09 Match Prediction Today | Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat Prediction Today| Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat Key Players | ST vs BH Dream11 Prediction

As BBL09 approaches the halfway mark, an important game awaits between two sides that have delivered some drama-filled matches over the years.

Whether it’s Chris Lynn’s incredible knock to seal a chase three years ago or the fiasco of the Gabba lights last season, you can count on a Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat battle to throw up a surprise or two.

The Thunder have the chance to keep pace with the top two. The Heat need to win to get back into the top five. Who will hold their nerve?

Amid the talent on show in this one, which side will hold their nerve better in the important stages?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Chris Lynn responded in the perfect fashion last game, winning man-of-the-match with 88* (55) vs Hurricanes.
• Lynn is far-and-away the top run-scorer in Heat-Thunder clashes: 436 runs at an average of 62.26 and SR of 172.33.
• Lynn when batting first in BBL09: 94 (35) and 88* (55). When batting second: 9, 6 and 14.
• Callum Ferguson scored a superb 73* (44) vs Brisbane Heat in the first match of BBL09. Currently third with 248 runs in BBL09, it is impossible to ignore Ferguson.
• It is a big game for Tom Banton. He has made just the one significant score so far in the tournament. Alex Hales is in a similar boat.
• Usman Khawaja in BBL09: 22, 66, 0, 16, 63, 1. Due a score this game?
• Matt Renshaw is having an excellent tournament so far: 156 runs at 39.00, with SR 136. He also has three wickets in six overs.
• Alex Ross has been decent when given the chance to bat: He has accumulated 126 runs in 103 balls in BBL09 (avg. 31.50).
• Daniel Sams is the leading wicket-taker in BBL09 with 12. He has taken at least one wicket in every match to date. Chris Morris has supported him well with eight wickets in four matches.
• Chris Green has scored some vital runs down the order against the Heat. His 61 runs have come at a SR of 196.77, along with six wickets in five games.
• Zahir Khan has five wickets in his past four games, and will be a threat on the Sydney Showground pitch.
• Mitch Swepson is back for Brisbane Heat after spending time with the Australia Test squad. His performances in BBL09: 2/11, 1/37 and 2/27.
• Arjun Nair, Chris Green and Jono Cook took two wickets each in the Thunder’s win vs Heat earlier this season. Ben Laughlin has at least one wicket in each game in BBL09.

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Head-to-Head

• Matches 10, Thunder 2, Heat 7.
• Sydney Thunder won the earlier meeting this season by 29 runs.
• Key stat: Brisbane Heat have won two from two when batting first, scoring 200+ on both occasions. When batting second, they have lost all three games.

Possible Playing 11

Left-arm wristspinner Liam Bowe is in the 13-man squad for Tanveer Sangha, who is part of Australia’s U19 WC squad.

Sydney Thunder: 1. Alex Hales, 2. Usman Khawaja, 3. Callum Ferguson (c), 4. Alex Ross, 5. Matthew Gilkes (wk), 6. Daniel Sams, 7. Chris Morris, 8. Chris Green, 9. Nathan McAndrew, 10. Arjun Nair, 11. Chris Tremain

Mitch Swepson is back in the squad and should slot into the Heat XI. He could replace either Jack Prestwidge or Mark Steketee.

Brisbane Heat: 1. Tom Banton, 2. Max Bryant, 3. Chris Lynn (c), 4. Matt Renshaw, 5. Ben Cutting, 6. Jimmy Peirson, 7. Josh Lalor, 8. Mark Steketee, 9. Mitch Swepson, 10. Ben Laughlin, 11. Zahir Khan

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Sydney Showground Pitch Report and Conditions

Some showers are forecast for Sydney. While this isn’t the best news for cricket, it is certainly welcome news considering the bushfires ravaging the state right now.

In terms of the pitch, the surface for the Thunder-Stars game a few days ago was on the slow, low side. Spinners and pacers who would bowl cutters found success. One can expect similar for today’s game.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1 (if Thunder bat first)

Option 2 (if Heat bat first)

Also read: Dream11 content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

The Heat have been poor chasing, but so good when setting a score. If the pattern continues in this game, this one could go down to who bats first, as well as the impact the rain has from a D/L perspective.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!