Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes, Big Bash League 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 27 Dec 2020

brh vs hbh Match Prediction & Analysis

The No.1 team of the Big Bash League will be taking on the No.8 ranked side in a clash that could well turn out to be a one-sided one. The Hobart Hurricanes have reached the top of the table this season after winning 3 of their 4 games so far and look like the side to beat. They are in good shape and would be eager to strengthen their position at the top. Brisbane Heat, meanwhile, is yet to win a game this season and would be desperate to open their account. However, they have been struggling badly and things will only get difficult against a side like the Hurricanes.
 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Brisbane Heat Preview

The Hobart Hurricanes are coming off a solid 6-wicket win in their last game against the Melbourne Renegades. After restricting the Renegades for 157-5, the Hurricanes chased down the target in just 17.4 overs with ease. The star of the match was Ben McDermott, who paced the innings with an excellent unbeaten 89 off 55 balls. He’s been the in-form player for the team this season and will be the player to watch out for again. 

However, the openers D Arcy Short and Will Jacks haven’t quite been consistent thus far and that’s a bit of a concern. Captain Peter Handscomb and Colin Ingram provide solidity in the middle while Tim David has the ability to produce some effective cameos down the order.

Hobart’s bowling is its main strength. In James Faulkner and Scott Boland, they have two in-form seamers who are among the wickets and also not giving away too much. Riley Meredith and Nathan Ellis are the other two bowlers the team would depend on. The Gabba surface should suit the Hobart bowlers and they might well prove to be a handful here. 

Brisbane Heat Predicted Playing XI:

D Arcy Short, Will Jacks, Ben McDermott (wk), Peter Handscomb (c), Colin Ingram, Keemo Paul, Tim David, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Scott Boland, Riley Meredith

Brisbane Heat Actual Playing XI:

James Bazley, TLW Cooper, Lewis Gregory, Daniel Lawrence, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson, Xavier Bartlett, Mark Steketee, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Max Bryant, Jack Wildermuth

Hobart Hurricanes Preview

Brisbane Heat has to get their act together soon or the season might slip away from them. They are yet to win a match and while they have shown traces of brilliance, they have to start winning games now. Brisbane is coming off a heartbreaking 2-run loss against Adelaide Strikers. While chasing a target of 151, they fell agonizingly short. However, they will take heart from the fact that they reached so close courtesy of a special unbeaten 69 off 36 balls by new skipper Jimmy Peirson. But the main issue is that the rest of the batting unit isn’t performing. The injury to Chris Lynn is a huge concern and Brisbane would pray that he returns for this game to bolster their batting.

Brisbane’s bowling is in a little better shape with Jack Wildermuth in good form and the inclusion of Xavier Bartlett yielding good results already. Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman hardly gives anything away while Mark Steketee gets in some good overs in the middle. Brisbane’s best chance is for their bowling unit to fire on all cylinders in this game.
 

Hobart Hurricanes Predicted Playing XI:

Max Bryant, Sam Heazlett, Simon Milenko, Daniel Lawrence, Tom Cooper, Jimmy Peirson (c & wk), Jack Wildermuth, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ben Laughlin

Hobart Hurricanes Actual Playing XI:

Riley Meredith, Colin Ingram, Wil Parker, Scott Boland, Nathan Ellis, Tim David, D'Arcy Short, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Dawid Malan, Ben McDermott

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at The Gabba in Brisbane is expected to have something in it for both the batsmen and bowlers. Its typical bounce will help both the seamers and spinners. The batters should also enjoy the ball coming on nicely to them but they might struggle if the surface slows down a little.

The weather at Brisbane for the day of the game is expected to be clear and sunny. We should have a full 40-over game.
 

Venue Details

We have seen just one game this season at the Gabba – between the Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers. It was a low-scoring affair which the home team lost by 2 runs. In this match, we should expect a similar kind of a contest and the team batting first would target a total of 160 to feel safe.

Toss: To Bat

The team winning the toss is likely to bat first as setting a total on this venue at this stage would be the better option right now.