Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
THU vs HEA Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: BBL 2022/23 Eliminator | ST vs BH Dream11 Prediction Today | Sydney Showground Pitch Report
After 56 games and uncertainty around who would make the top five right up until the final match, the BBL 12 playoffs are here.
Starting off are two flawed teams who can turn it on at any stage. Sydney Thunder, from 15 to 228 to 62, have endured an up-and-down season. Brisbane Heat have risen from last position after ten games to the playoffs, but this should have been a home final after blowing what looked to be a certain chase against Hobart on Wednesday afternoon.
So, who knows what this match has in store. The Heat attack, who were hammered on this ground by Matthew Gilkes and Alex Hales earlier this season, have what it takes to dismantle a very shaky Thunder lineup. But, whether the Heat can get more out of their own top four remains to be seen, as a lot has been left to the likes of Sam Hain and Jimmy Peirson in recent games.
Match Details
- Location: Sydney Showground Stadium.
- Time: 7:15pm (local), 1:45pm (IST).
- For cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.
BBL 2022/23 Eliminator: THU vs HEA Possible Playing XIs
Thunder have confirmed their squad. Ryan Hadley will be part of the squad as a local replacement player for Brendan Doggett, who is out of the tournament with an elbow injury.
Also, Gurinder Sandhu has been named in the squad but is in great doubt after another calf injury suffered on Wednesday night against Stars.
Sydney Thunder: 1. Matthew Gilkes (wk), 2. David Warner, 3. Jason Sangha, 4. Oliver Davies, 5. Alex Ross, 6. Daniel Sams, 7. Ben Cutting, 8. Chris Green (c), 9. Nathan McAndrew, 10. Gurinder Sandhu/Joel Davies, 11. Usman Qadir
Heat are yet to officially name their squad. They could stick with the same XI that fell short against Hurricanes.
Brisbane Heat: 1. Usman Khawaja (c), 2. Josh Brown, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Matthew Renshaw, 5. Sam Hain, 6. Jimmy Peirson (wk), 7. Michael Neser, 8. James Bazley, 9. Matthew Kuhnemann, 10. Mitch Swepson, 11. Spencer Johnson
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Sydney Thunder:
- Matthew Gilkes was player of the match on this ground against Heat in the BBL 12 league stage. He hit 56* off 34 balls.
- David Warner has scored just 63 runs in his five BBL matches this season. If there is ever a time to deliver for the Thunder, it’s now.
- Oliver Davies is the Thunder’s leading run-scorer in this BBL (333). But, he has scored 0, 2 and 8 in his past three knocks.
- Daniel Sams is coming off a crucial 28 against Stars two nights ago. He has a strike rate of 210 in eight innings vs Heat (168 runs) along with 16 wickets in nine innings with the ball (avg. 17.50, econ. 9.23).
- Sams is the highest wicket-taker in T20s on this ground (30) at an average of 14.77 and strike rate of 11.50.
- Expect Chris Green to test the Heat top order. The offspinner is conceding just 6.07 per over this season (12 wickets, SR 26).
- Usman Qadir has taken five wickets in his past three games. The legspinner could find some assistance on what has been a tricky Sydney Showground surface in BBL 12.
Brisbane Heat:
- Usman Khawaja has struck two fifties in seven matches on this ground. He has scored a total of 229 runs at an average of 32.71 and strike rate of 136.31.
- Sam Hain has hit 33*, 73* and 26 in his past three knocks.
- Jimmy Peirson is coming into form at the right time. The keeper-batsman has struck 57* and 39 in his last two matches.
- Peirson smashed 43* off 24 in a knockout match against Thunder two years ago.
- Michael Neser took the third-most wickets in the league stage (22) at an average of 17.59 and strike rate of 12.2.
- James Bazley took 4/22 against Thunder earlier in the season, part of 15 wickets in ten innings in BBL 12. He also scored 29 (24) in the same game.
- Mitchell Swepson conceded a total of 0/75 in seven overs against Thunder in this campaign. However, the legspinner is in fine touch, with figures of 2/23 and 1/17 in his past two matches.
Other Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 18, Thunder 7, Heat 10, N/R 1.
- Sydney Thunder beat Brisbane Heat twice in the league stage.
- Alex Ross vs Heat since December 2019: 7 inns, 171 runs, avg. 34.20, SR 135.71.
- Chris Green has taken 17 wickets in 25 innings on this ground. He strikes every 26.18 deliveries.
- Daniel Sams has dismissed Matt Renshaw twice in ten balls in T20s.
- Spencer Johnson is not only key at the death, but can test Thunder with the new ball. Thunder have lost early wickets regularly in BBL 12.
Sydney Showground Pitch Report and Weather
The Sydney Showground surfaces have been tricky for batting in BBL 12. The average first innings score is just 126, with the chasing team winning three of the four matches. And, infamously, Thunder were bowled out for 15 on this ground.
Seamers have found movement this season, with Henry Thornton (5/3), Wes Agar (4/6) and Sean Abbott (3/9) among the chief destroyers.
There have been thunderstorms in recent evenings in Sydney. There is a chance of some showers tomorrow (1-5mm), with a top of 26 degrees.
BBL 2022/23 Eliminator: THU vs HEA Dream11 Prediction Today 27 January 2023
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:
Fan2Play Prediction
Base Team:
- Wicket-Keepers: Matthew Gilkes, Jimmy Peirson
- Batsmen: Sam Hain
- All-Rounders: Michael Neser, James Bazley, Daniel Sams
- Bowlers: Usman Qadir
BBL 2022/23 Eliminator THU vs HEA: Who will win?
A genuine 50-50 match. Thunder have beaten Heat twice, but the Brisbane-based side have looked more convincing in recent games. Heat to win.
