2020-21 Big Bash League – Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat taking place? Sunday 31st January, 2021 – 08:15 (UK)
Where is Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat taking place? Manuka Oval, Canberra
Where can I get tickets for Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat? Ticket information for BBL10 can be found on this link
What channel is Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat on in the UK? BT Sport
Where can I stream Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat in the UK? BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
SYDNEY THUNDER
- Sydney Thunder secured third spot on the ladder as they overcame Adelaide Strikers in their final round robin clash of BBL|10 and they will be confident of booking their spot in the Challenger contest as they face Brisbane Heat.
- In a match reduced to just 14 overs apiece because of some poor weather, the Thunder did a solid job with the ball as they reduced their opponents to just 115/4 and they had little trouble in chasing their target down as they lost just one wicket in reply.
- Usman Khawaja fell to the first ball of the chase but an unbeaten 116-run partnership between Alex Hales (63*) and Callum Ferguson (46*) sealed the Thunder’s spot in the finals with little drama.
BRISBANE HEAT
- Brisbane Heat produced a brilliant display in the Eliminator as they defeated Adelaide Strikers to make it three wins in succession and they will feel they have some momentum behind them ahead of this next knockout contest.
- The Heat were superb with the ball as they limited the scoring of the Strikers while also taking regular wickets as they restricted their opponents to 130/7 and despite it being a difficult pitch to bat on, they knew the game was in their control.
- The early loss of Chris Lynn and Marnus Labuschagne gave the Heat a real scare but Joe Denly (41) steadied the ship before Jimmy Peirson was able to guide his side into the next round with an unbeaten knock of 47.
THE PREDICTION
Sydney Thunder produced a strong display when it mattered most as they booked their spot in the finals of BBL|10 and earned third spot on the ladder in the process with a win over Adelaide Strikers. The brilliant form of Alex Hales continued as he moved on to 535 runs for the tournament, leaving him as the highest-run scorer by a huge margin of 81 runs. His side’s batting talents will now face the Brisbane Heat bowling attack who come into this Knockout clash having seen off the Strikers in the Eliminator. It was their efforts with the ball in that contest that stood out but they will face a much tougher batting line-up here. The Thunder scored more runs than any other side during the round robin and their class with the bat can tell here with the Sydney outfit likely to have too much for their opponents.