Last Updated on 1 week by Charbel Coorey
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers Preview + Dream11
Happy New Year!
2018 has gone. 2019 has come. One thing that remains the same is plenty of cricketing action.
Brisbane Heat will play just their third game of BBL08, and their first since December 22. With the race for the top four already looking tight, the time is now for the Heat to pick up their first win of the season. Their top heavy batting lineup, as well as lack of depth with their bowling, remains a concern, but they come up against a side that can’t stop collapsing at the top. Will it be a Happy New Year’s Day for Brisbane Heat on the Gold Coast?
Sydney Sixers picked up a huge win at Marvel Stadium vs Melbourne Renegades a few nights ago, but not before another top order collapse. The Sixers were reduced to 25/3, following on from their poor starts against Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars. However, their bowling is looking pretty good, and against a side that relies plenty on its top order, an opportunity for two straight wins awaits.
Key to a Brisbane Heat win
Brisbane Heat have had a good break over Christmas and Boxing Day, which has allowed them to “review the two games and look at some options for the Sixers” in the words of coach Daniel Vettori. James Pattinson returns, and will be key in targeting a Sixers’ top order that is misfiring. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Josh Lalor will also have a key role to play, and so too Ben Cutting and Mitch Swepson against a Sixers’ middle order that has proven capable of staging recoveries. With the bowling an achilles heel of the Heat for a few years, the time is now to deliver to get their BBL08 campaign up and running.
Of course, Chris Lynn will be of huge importance with the bat, but what support will he get? The Heat crumbled early in their last game against the Hurricanes, with Ben Cutting giving them hope of an unlikely victory with some fine late hitting. The dependence on individual brilliance continues to hurt the Heat, and if they lack partnerships again, it is hard to see them winning.

Key to a Sydney Sixers win
It is no longer a secret that the Sixers’ top order is out of touch. That they have won two games out of four given they have lost at least three powerplay wickets in three games is remarkable. They are playing with fire at the moment, given that T20 games are rarely won with poor batting powerplays, and need to start firing at the top to gain momentum in BBL08. Joe Denly hasn’t yet fired, young Jack Edwards hasn’t replicated NSW form and Moises Henriques hasn’t built on starts. Will this be the day?
Also, the Sixers have bowlers who can pick up regular wickets to hurt the Heat’s progress. Chris Lynn is a key man, and Steve O’Keefe will likely be used against him. However, can the Sixers get the better of the Heat’s potential game changers such as Brendon McCullum, Joe Burns and Ben Cutting? If so, the pressure on Lynn intensifies, and the Sixers have an excellent avenue to victory.

Predicted Playing XIs
Brisbane Heat have made two changes to their squad. James Pattinson and Alex Ross come back in. Pattinson will surely play, and Ross is a chance to play ahead of Sam Heazlett.
Brisbane Heat possible XI: 1. Brendon McCullum, 2. Max Bryant, 3. Chris Lynn (c), 4. Joe Burns, 5. Alex Ross, 6. Jimmy Peirson (wk), 7. Ben Cutting, 8. Mitch Swepson, 9. James Pattinson, 10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11. Josh Lalor
For Sydney Sixers, Greg West replaces Lloyd Pope in the 13-man squad. Ben Manenti was superb on debut, and is expected to line up again.
Sydney Sixers possible XI: 1. Jack Edwards, 2. Joe Denly, 3. Daniel Hughes, 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Josh Phillipe (wk), 7. Tom Curran, 8. Sean Abbott, 9. Steve O’Keefe, 10. Ben Dwarshuis, 11. Ben Manenti
Dream11 Prediction
New Year’s Eve game wasn’t the best. Time for an improvement! Below is my Dream11 Team with a few pointers.

- Josh Phillipe has been a disappointment for Sixers so far this season. Jimmy Peirson has shown better form.
- Daniel Hughes and Jordan Silk have been two of the Sixers’ better players in BBL08.
- Max Bryant offers good value, given his ability to get the Heat off to a good start.
- Tom Curran captains my side, with Ben Cutting VC.
- All four bowling options are wicket taking options, especially on a slow track. Sean Abbott has 14 wickets in his last four games against Brisbane Heat. James Pattinson against a fragile Sixers top order is a good option.
Stats and Facts
- This is the second BBL game to be played at Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium.
- Sydney Sixers bowled Brisbane Heat out for 73 in the last meeting. Sean Abbott took 4/11.
- Sydney Sixers have won seven of eight meetings against Brisbane Heat.
- Brisbane Heat have lost their last six BBL matches.
Prediction
Brisbane Heat have shown the kind of deficiencies that had me predicting them to finish last.
I’m backing the Sydney Sixers to win this one, despite their shaky top order. Given their excellent record against the Heat, and solid bowling unit on slow pitches, Sixers will win.
Thanks for reading!
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers Preview + Dream11