Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat, Big Bash League 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 31 Jan 2021

syt vs brh Match Prediction & Analysis

The BBL 10 finals are now reaching their concluding stages and the competition is only going to get stronger. Sydney Thunder will be facing Brisbane Heat in the Knockout this Sunday at the Manuka Oval. The winner of this encounter will move to play the Challenger on February 4th. Sydney Thunder has had a memorable tournament so far and certainly do deserve to play the finals. However, anything can happen in a knockout game like this. Also, Brisbane is in good winning form and will be even more confident after their clinical win in the Eliminator against Adelaide Strikers. This should hence be a cracker of a knockout game.  
 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sydney Thunder Preview

After finishing 3rd in the table, the Sydney Thunder have now made back-to-back finals appearances for the first time. They clinched the title in the 2015-16 season but this time Usman Khawaja’s side looks even better and can certainly push for a second title. They won their last league game against Adelaide Strikers by 9 wickets and would be quietly confident of their chances in the Knockout.

Sydney’s batting has primarily been boosted by the heroics of English opener Alex Hales who is now the leading run-getter of the season with 535 runs at a strike-rate of 163 and with 1 hundred and 3 fifties. He will be the main man who could change this game the host team’s way. Skipper Callum Ferguson (380 runs) has also been a reliable presence and has been in good form. The role of Sam Billings and Ben Cutting would be crucial too as their cameos could be decisive.

Sydney’s is decent and they would be hoping that speedster delivers a crucial spell. Nathan McAndrew has a good knack for picking wickets but can be expensive. However, leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha, who has 21 wickets in the season for the Thunder, could play the most important in this knockout game.

Sydney Thunder Predicted Playing XI:

Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Sam Billings (wk), Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Adam Milne, Brendan Doggett, Tanveer Sangha

Sydney Thunder Actual Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Ben Cutting, Sam Billings, Daniel Sams, Christopher Green, Brendan Doggett, Callum Ferguson, Adam Milne, Usman Khawaja, Alex Ross, Tanveer Sangha

Brisbane Heat Preview

Brisbane Heat has now won 3 matches in a row and has achieved quite an amazing momentum. In the Eliminator against Adelaide Strikers, they chased down a target of 131 with 7 balls and 5 wickets to spare. It was a clinical show and Brisbane would want to carry that momentum forward. 

Brisbane’s batting has mainly revolved around the performances of their captain Chris Lynn who is their leading run-scorer with 426 runs at a strike-rate of 157. The skipper will again have to play a pivotal part in the Knockout to help the batting unit. The other batsmen who can make an impact are Joe Denly and Jimmy Peirson. Both of them got good runs in the Eliminator, which is good news for the team.

Brisbane’s bowling has been most impressive. Xavier Bartlett and Mark Steketee have been their most consistent performers throughout the season. Steketee, with 22 wickets, is their leading wicket-taker and would like to leave a mark in this clash. However, Marnus Labuschagne’s spin bowling has been the biggest surprise for the team. In just 4 matches this season, he has plucked 9 wickets and even impressed with a spell of 3-13 in the Eliminator. His role in the middle-overs, hence, could prove crucial.

Brisbane Heat Predicted Playing XI:

Sam Heazlett, Chris Lynn (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Denly, Joe Burns, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Lewis Gregory, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Laughlin, Morne Morkel, Xavier Bartlett

Brisbane Heat Actual Playing XI:

Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Burns, Lewis Gregory, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson, Xavier Bartlett, Joe Denly, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Laughlin, Mark Steketee, Chris Lynn

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Manuka Oval in Canberra has remained a pretty even surface throughout the season. Batsmen enjoy the ball coming on to the bat and the bounce isn’t variable. Seamers and spinners, however, do get enough purchase on this pitch, especially when it softens a little. 

Unfortunately, some showers are expected on the day of the big game at Canberra and the match could be affected by it.
 

Venue Details

The chasing teams have won 7 of the 10 games played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra this season so far. However, given that this is a knockout match, batting first might be the better option. Moreover, there have been two totals of 200-plus by the teams batting first on the venue this season with the 219/7 by Sydney Thunder against Melbourne Stars being the highest. So, it’s a good batting wicket and the side taking first strike will look to achieve a total in the range of 180-plus runs. 

Toss: To Bat

The team winning the toss is likely to bat first. This is a big knockout match and batting first will be the safer option.