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We’re into the third week of the Big Bash League 2021-22 action, with the teams looking to charge towards the top spots on the points table. In this return fixture we will witness Sydney Thunder take on Brisbane Heat at the Gabba stadium in Brisbane on December 19.
Both teams have struggled to get their campaign off to a flying start and are reeling at the bottom three. Sydney Thunder defeated the Heat in the first game but then lost the next two against Melbourne Stars. In the last game, they could only manage 150 from 20 overs even with an outstanding knock of 77* off 49 by Alex Ross.
In response, the Stars chased it down with six wickets and 17 balls to spare, courtesy of the 40s from Glenn Maxwell and Andre Russell. The Thunder are currently placed sixth with 5 points to their credit, having won a match and two Bash Boost points.
The Heat are one place down, at the seventh spot with 4 points from three matches. The men in teal suffered two consecutive losses at the hands of Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers to begin the campaign. However, they bounced back strongly to register a comprehensive win over Melbourne Renegades. James Bazley, Liam Guthrie and Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled brilliantly to restrict the Gades to just 140/6 in 20 overs. Brisbane mowed it down easily with 19 balls remaining, thanks to Chris Lynn’s 32 off 15 and Sam Heazlett’s unbeaten 29-ball 44*.
Key players
Chris Lynn is amongst the most destructive batters in the shortest format of the game, with an ability to smother the pace bowling. He has scored 5993 runs in T20 cricket from 221 matches at an average of 31 and strike rate of 143.
The 31-year-old has two centuries and 39 half centuries to his name in the format. Lynn has been exceptional in the BBL, having scored 2858 runs at an average of 37 while striking at 150. Lynn returned to form in the last game against the Renegades, smashing 32 off 15.
Alex Ross has been a consistent performer for Sydney Thunder in the BBL in the last couple of years. He’s an excellent player of spin and adds immense value in the middle order. Ross has scored 1464 runs in the T20 format, averaging 31 at a strike rate of 128, including eight fifties.
The 29-year-old is in terrific form, scoring 155 runs from three innings without getting dismissed. He scored 61* off 46 against the Heat in the first game and is coming fresh off a 49-ball 77 against the Stars.
Tanveer Sangha is a promising leggie from Australia who has been on the rise in the BBL with quality performances since the last season. The 20-year-old claimed 21 wickets in the BBL 10 from 15 matches at an economy of 8.08 rpo.
Sangha has been even better this season, having picked 5 scalps from three games at an excellent 6.45 rpo. He picked 1/22 against the Heat in the previous fixture and followed it up with 2/29 and 2/20 against the Stars.
Mark Steketee will return to lead the Brisbane Heat bowling attack in this game after finishing his red-ball duties. A genuine quick from Queensland, Steketee has done well for the Heat, picking 66 wickets from 53 games at 8.91 rpo.
He was terrific in the last season, snaring 24 wickets from 16 matches at an economy of 9.27 but bowling a lot of difficult overs, with the best of 4/33. Steketee, who has been in good form, will be a key player for the Heat.
Prediction
Brisbane Heat have had the edge over the Thunder, with a scoreline of 10 to 4. In the last five meetings as well, they lead by 3-2.
The Thunder have a good batting unit comprising Alex Hales, Alex Ross, Sam Billings and two power-hitters in Daniel Sams and Ben Cutting. The form of Hales is a concern for them, while they could get a boost if Usman Khawaja becomes available. The bowling attack has looked decent with Nathan McAndrew, Gurinder Sandhu and Sams leading the way and Tanveer Sangha and Chris Green handling the spin department.
Brisbane Heat have got Tom Abell and Mitch Swepson back, while Mark Steketee should also return in this game. The batting, while still a bit underpowered, will be relieved with Chris Lynn finding some form. The bowling attack, comprising Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Mitch Swepson and Mujeeb Ur Rahman looks very potent. All in all, Brisbane Heat look slightly better and should get the win at the Gabba.
