Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat, WBBLT20, Today Match Prediction

STW vs BHW Match Prediction & Analysis

The 16th match of the 2024 Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) will see a face-off between Sydney Thunder Women and Brisbane Heat Women. The Thunder have taken the top spot in the standings after getting 4 points from three games and an impressive NRR of 1.158. On the other hand, Brisbane Heat are in fourth place with 4 points from four matches and an NRR of 0.133. Brisbane have lost two games in a row and need some momentum. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sydney Thunder Preview

Sydney Thunder Women have won two of their three matches so far, including their previous one versus Adelaide Strikers Women by 64 runs. Batting first at North Sydney Oval, they put on a massive total of 212-5 on the board and bowled the Strikers out for just 148.

Georgia Voll top-scored in the game with a sensational 92 off just 55 balls. Skipper Phoebe Litchfield (49 off 31) and Heather Knight (31 off 15) also chipped in with valuable contributions.

These three have been the consistent performers with the bat for the Thunder this year. They will, however, look for some runs from Chamari Athapaththu and Tahlia Wilson too.

Samantha Bates has been the star of the team’s bowling, picking up 8 wickets in 3 innings at an economy of 5.63. 

Shabnim Ismail, Hannah Darlington, and Chamari Athapaththu have also been among the wickets, taking 4 wickets each.

Key Players: Heather Knight, Samantha Bates, Phoebe Litchfield

Sydney Thunder Predicted Playing XI:

Georgia Voll, Chamari Athapaththu, Phoebe Litchfield (c), Heather Knight, Tahlia Wilson (wk), Anika Learoyd, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Hannah Darlington, Shabnim Ismail, Samantha Bates, Sienna Eve

Sydney Thunder Actual Playing XI:

Chamari Atapattu, Hannah Darlington, Shabnim Ismail, Sammy Jo Johnson, Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson, Samantha Bates

Brisbane Heat Preview

After starting their campaign with two consecutive wins, Brisbane Heat Women have suffered two back-to-back losses, the last of which came against Perth Scorchers Women at W.A.C.A. Chasing a target of 143 against the home side, the Heat were bowled out for 114 and lost the match by 28 runs.

Brisbane’s issue is that they are overly reliant on two batters so far – Grace Harris (124 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 133) and Laura Harris (101 runs in 4 innings at 187).

Georgia Redmayne and Jess Jonassen have played well in patches but need to be consistent. You can also keep an eye on Jemimah Rodrigues and Charli Knott, both of whom have the potential to play match-winning knocks.

Among the bowlers, Shikha Pandey and Nicola Hancock have been the standouts, taking 5 wickets each. Grace Parsons has also done a fabulous job, with 4 wickets at an economy of 6.23.

Key Players: Grace Harris, Shikha Pandey, Jess Jonassen 

Brisbane Heat Predicted Playing XI:

Georgia Redmayne (wk), Grace Harris, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen (c), Charli Knott, Laura Harris, Nadine de Klerk, Sianna Ginger, Shikha Pandey, Grace Parsons, Nicola Hancock

Brisbane Heat Actual Playing XI:

Jess Jonassen, Nadine de Klerk, Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura May Harris, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shikha Pandey

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth usually offers a pretty even surface in domestic games. The pitch has good bounce and carry, and seamers will enjoy bowling here throughout, particularly when the ball is new. Batters will need to see off the first few balls before they can start getting comfortable. The new ball will pose a challenge in both innings.

The weather in Perth during the match will be mostly cloudy and breezy. There is no threat of rain, so we should get a full match.

STW vs BHW Pitch Report

The average first innings score at the W.A.C.A. Ground is 140. Last season, the highest total posted here was Brisbane Heat Women’s 197-5 versus Perth Scorchers Women. They won that match by 67 runs. The team batting first will be looking to set a score of around 150-160 runs. 

Toss: To Bat

Both matches played at the W.A.C.A. Ground in Perth in this WBBL have been won by team batting first comfortably. Thus, we reckon both teams will be looking to bat first here.