Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

The annual New Years’ Eve clash is here, and it’s Adelaide Strikers vs. Brisbane Heat take two. The teams played out a thrilling encounter on December 27 at the Gabba, with the Heat prevailing by seven runs.

Brisbane Heat were in trouble throughout their innings, but managed to reach 179/9. That would have come as a disappointment to the Strikers in the post-game analysis after letting a strong position slip. Max Bryant’s superb 32-ball 63 turned the match and was unfortunate not to win man of the match.

In reply, the Strikers’ inconsistency proved vital. Harry Manenti and Jerrssis Wadia were very promising and will be looking to build on their performances. However, they need more from Chris Lynn and the top order in this clash.

Brisbane Heat enter this match in fourth place, but have significant injury worries (see below). The Strikers need to win to get back in the top four.

BBL 2025/26 17th Match – STR vs HEA Possible Playing XIs

Alex Ross is back in the Adelaide Strikers squad. He could return in place of either Mackenzie Harvey or Harry Manenti, although the latter showed very promising signs a few nights ago.

Adelaide Strikers: 1. Matt Short (c), 2. Chris Lynn, 3. Alex Ross/Mackenzie Harvey, 4. Liam Scott, 5. Harry Manenti, 6. Jamie Overton (OS), 7. Jerrssis Wadia, 8. Luke Wood (OS), 9. Harry Nielsen (wk), 10. Hassan Ali (OS), 11. Lloyd Pope

Brisbane Heat have more injury concerns. Tom Alsop will miss this game and Shaheen Shah Afridi is out of the tournament.

“Due to an unexpected injury, I have been called back by the PCB and will have to take a rehab. Hopefully, I will be back in the field soon. Meanwhile, I will be cheering for the amazing team,” wrote Shaheen on social media, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Heat have named Jack Wood as a local replacement player and could make the XI.

Brisbane Heat: 1. Colin Munro (OS), 2. Jake Wildermuth, 3. Matt Renshaw, 4. Hugh Weibgen, 5. Max Bryant, 6. Lachlan Hearne/Jack Wood, 7. Jimmy Peirson (wk), 8. Xavier Bartlett (c), 9. Matt Kuhnemann, 10. Thomas Balkin, 11. Liam Haskett

Adelaide Oval Pitch Report and Weather

The Adelaide Oval surface offered seam movement in the powerplay in the December 23 match between the Strikers and Stars. Tom Curran (3/35) ran through the Strikers’ top order. The likes of Luke Wood and Xavier Bartlett are capable of taking powerplay wickets here.

Since the start of 2023, pace bowlers have taken 92 BBL wickets at an average of 33.66 and economy of 9.68. Spinners have fared well, taking 63 wickets at an average of 26.02 and economy of 8.05.

The average first innings score in the last six BBL games on this ground is 184.83. This includes the Strikers’ huge 251 against the Heat a year ago. Both teams batting first and second have won three games each.

A clear and cool evening is forecast. Chasing may be preferred due to the possibility of dew.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for STR vs HEA 2025/26: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Harry Nielsen has batted at nine in recent matches, so Jimmy Peirson is the safest wicket-keeper pick in this match. Peirson has scored 331 runs against the Strikers at an average of 27.6 and strike rate of 141.5.

Key batter picks:

• Matt Renshaw is the leading run-scorer in BBL 2025/26. The left-hander has struck 196 runs at an average of 49.00 and strike rate of 175.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Matt Short smashed 109* off 54 balls against the Brisbane Heat on this ground in January 2025. In 36 BBL innings at Adelaide Oval, Short has hit 1,280 runs at an average of 40.0 and strike rate of 150.2.
• Jack Wildermuth bowls four overs and opens the batting. He is a must-pick this season with a century to his name.
• Jamie Overton strikes at 158.5 with the bat in BBL matches at the Adelaide Oval. He also has 12 wickets at an average of 26.6 and strike rate of 18.

Key bowler picks:

• Xavier Bartlett won man of the match against Strikers with his 3/26. He took crucial wickets in the middle and death overs. The Heat captain has overall figures of 2/54 off 35 balls against Matt Short. Crucial matchup.
• Luke Wood has taken five wickets in two matches this season (avg. 13.80, SR 9.60). The left-armer has 52 T20 wickets in 2025 at an average of 21.9 and strike rate of 15.9. 32 of these wickets have come in the powerplay.
• Hassan Ali has 58 T20 wickets this year at an average of 17.9 and strike rate of 11.7. He took 2/36 a few nights ago, dismissing Max Bryant and Xavier Bartlett.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Chris Lynn is yet to get going this season. But, he has a fine record at the Adelaide Oval with 655 runs at an average of 32.8 and strike rate of 151.6.
• Colin Munro is a key player for the Heat but is short on runs in recent games. Also, he has struggled at the Adelaide Oval in the BBL, scoring just 18 runs in four matches at an average of 4.5 and strike rate of 60.
• Will the Strikers give Liam Scott more overs with the ball? He dismissed Jack Wildermuth early a few nights ago. Scott also bats in the top four, increasing his fantasy value.
• Youngster Thomas Balkin was very impressive on BBL debut. He hit speeds of 145km/h and also had an outstanding slower ball at the death. He finished with 2/30 off 3.5 overs.
• Hugh Weibgen has shown promising form this season (although he struggled for rhythm in the last two games) and could bat in the top four again.
• Lloyd Pope has taken 15 wickets in 10 BBL innings at the Adelaide Oval at an average of 22.1 and strike rate of 14.8.
• Max Bryant was outstanding a few nights ago, smashing 63 off 32 balls against the Strikers. Can he produce something similar?

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 23, Heat 12, Strikers 10, N/R 1.
• Matt Renshaw in the BBL at Adelaide Oval: 16 inns, 422 runs, avg. 30.1, SR 137.
• Hassan Ali vs Colin Munro in domestic T20s: 21 balls, 27 runs, two wickets.
• Matt Short vs Matt Renshaw: 13 balls, 11 runs, two wickets.
• Lloyd Pope vs Jimmy Peirson: 20 balls, 16 runs, one wicket.
• Luke Wood vs Matt Renshaw: 15 balls, 29 runs, no dismissal.
• Xavier Bartlett dismissed Chris Lynn in the previous meeting. The overall head-to-head matchup is 20 runs off 11 balls, with one wicket.

BBL 2025/26 17th Match – STR vs HEA Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

BBL 2025/26 17th Match – STR vs HEA Match Prediction – Who will win?

Adelaide Strikers to win, with Matt Short to have a strong game.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.