Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat, Big Bash League 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 29 Jan 2019

hbh vs brh Match Prediction & Analysis

Hobart Hurricanes have been the best team so far in the tournament. They had a shock defeat against Sydney Sixers last match which is a good wakeup call before the playoffs. D Arcy Short and Skipper Wade are the leading run scorers in the first and second place respectively currently. Ben McDermott, George Bailey and Caleb Jewell provide able support to the openers and have scored runs down the order. James Faulkner has been their go-to bowler providing wickets at crucial junctures and has been amongst the leading wicket takers. Jofra Archer and Riley Meredith provide a good combination in the pace bowling department. Spinner Johan Botha announced a surprise retirement and left the tournament midway. Left Arm spinner Clive Rose will have to take the role of lead spinner. 

Brisbane Heat are struggling in the league with string of losses. They still have a chance to qualify for the next phase provided they win all their matches and other results go in their favor. Their top three of Max Bryant, Brendon McCullum and Skipper Chris Lynn has scored runs but are not consistent to their standards. They still need make runs consistently across matches. There has no real contribution from middle order except a rare one off performances which puts further pressure on top order. Josh Balor and Ben Doggett have bowled well together and have got wickets regularly. Ben Cutting has been a bit expensive with his overs. Afghani Mystery Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been excellent with the ball and Michael Swepson must form a good spin bowling combo with him to control the run flow in middle overs.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Hobart Hurricanes Preview

Key Players:

Mathew Wade – Wade has been in excellent form this season scoring 380+ runs with 4 fifty plus scores. He is the second highest run scorer preceded by his opening partner Short.   

Jofra Archer  – Archer is an excellent all-rounder who has capabilities with bat and ball. His ability to bowlers slower ones and Yorkers makes him a superb death over specialist.  

Stats from the league:

D Arcy Short – 473 runs at strike rate 139 (HS - 96*, 50s-5) - Highest run scorer so far

James Faulkner - 16 wickets at an economy of 7.9 RPO (BB- 3/25)

Hobart Hurricanes Predicted Playing XI:

Mathew Wade (C & Wk), D Arcy Short, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, George Bailey, Simon Milenko, James Faulkner, David Moody, Jofra Archer, Clive Rose, Riley Meredith

They have a forced change with David Moody in place of retired Johan Botha. No other changes are expected in the playing XI.

Hobart Hurricanes Actual Playing XI:

Jofra Chioke Archer, Clive Rose, David Moody, Caleb Jewell, Jarrod Freeman, Matthew Wade, D'Arcy Short, Simon Milenko, George Bailey, James Faulkner, Ben McDermott

Brisbane Heat Preview

Key Players:

Brendom McCullum – McCullum has scored three fifty plus scores so far and he would look to continue his good showing with the bat. His batting at the top sets the tone of the match.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Mujeeb has bowled very economically by leaving runs at an economy rate of less than 6 RPO. He will look to add a few wickets to his name. 

Stats from the league:

Chris Lynn – 319 runs at strike rate 125 (HS -84, 50s-3) 

Josh Lalor – 11 wickets at an economy of 7.2 RPO (BB – 5/26)

Brisbane Heat Predicted Playing XI:

Chris Lynn(C), Brendon McCullum, Max Bryant, Jimmy Pierson, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Matt Renshaw, Josh Lalor, Brendan Doggett, Mitchell Swepson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Joe Burns may replace Alex Ross in the batting line up. And the rest of the team is expected to remain same.

Brisbane Heat Actual Playing XI:

Josh Lalor, Ben Cutting, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Chris Lynn, Brendan Doggett, Jimmy Peirson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Brendon McCullum, Max Bryant, Alex Ross

Weather Conditions

The match is scheduled to start at local time 4.00 PM local time. Hobart pitch favors batsmen more than the bowlers. Scores in the range of the 160-180 runs can be scored easily. The pitch is expected to remain the same throughout the 40 overs. Dew factor may make it hard to grip the ball for spinners in the second innings.

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First

No score is a safe target at Hobart with teams chasing down totals in excess of 190 runs this season, All three matches has been won by teams batting second by Hobart Hurricanes here so far. So both teams will look to bat first.