The Hobart Hurricanes will lock horns with the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba in Adelaide on Wednesday, the thrilling encounter will mark the 20th match of the Big Bash League 2020 (BBL 2020).
Both the teams are set to meet in the space two days as the last encounter between the two sides was on Sunday, played at the same venue. The match was sealed in favor of the Brisbane Heat after they managed to win the match by 4 wickets with more than 15 balls to spare.
The Hurricanes find themselves cutting the points table with 11 points and have been on the receiving end on two occasions so far in this season. A win here for Peter Handscomb and Co. will see them jump to the top of the table. Brisbane Heat are placed 6th on the table with just 1 win from their 4 matches and their only win came against this very opposition.
Hurricanes though ended up on the losing side, they would be happy with the way their key player D’Arcy Short managed to pick up key wickets and score some quick runs at the top of the order. The Australian was seen to be struggling in the first few matches but his return to form is a definite boost for the Hobart side.
Both the teams seem tough on sheets but the Heat are likely to be without the services of their skipper- Chris Lynn and that does give the Hurricanes a slight edge.
Can Jimmy Peirson and Co. make it two in a row and get the winning momentum going further into the tournament? Will the Hurricanes make it one apiece?
Head to Head
Matches Played- 17, Hurricanes- 10, Heat- 7
Team News
Hobart Hurricanes apart from their loss against the Heat in the last match, have been in good touch and they would consider the last match too was under their control. The leg-break bowler Wil Parker seems to be leaking way too many runs and it would not be a surprise to see Johan Botha replace him in the playing Xl.
Brisbane Heat were dealt a huge blow when their skipper was reported to have sustained a hamstring and as per the latest reports, the hard-hitting Australian still seems to be recovering.
Though not a convincing win, the team managed to open their account after a three-match losing streak, and the management will be hoping the same Xl can get them over the line once again.
Probable Playing Xl
Hobart Hurricanes (HUR): D'Arcy Short, Dawid Malan, Ben McDermott (wk), Peter Handscomb (c), Colin Ingram, Tim David, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Scott Boland, Wil Parker/Johan Botha, Riley Meredith
Brisbane Heat (HEA): Sam Heazlett, Max Bryant, Daniel Lawrence, Tom Cooper, Jack Wildermuth, Lewis Gregory, Jimmy Peirson (c & wk), James Bazley, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Key Battles
Dawid Malan (HUR) vs Lewis Gregory (HEA)
Dawid Malan is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen in the tournament and his recent success rise to the No.1 T20I rankings does back our claims. Though the English batsman was not able to deliver in his first game for the Hurricanes, given his caliber and potential, he is certain to deliver in the coming games.
On the other side, Lewis Gregory had a wonderful outing in the last match against the same opposition as he managed to pick the crucial wickets. Malan is kind of a batsman who adapts quickly to changes and it would be interesting to see how the No.1 batsman plays the all-rounder this time around?
Who do you think will prevail in this exciting mini-battle?
James Faulkner (HUR) vs Max Bryant (HEA)
Max Bryant along with Sam Heazlett set the base on Sunday, the youngsters managed to put on 73 runs in the first 6 overs, and once again Bryant will have to showcase his best in order to take Heats over the line.
Australian veteran James Faulkner is so experienced and he does hold a huge part in the bowling department for the Hurricanes. The 30-year old seldom disappoint his teammates and fans.
Can the young Bryant once again provide a breezy start for the Heats? Or will Faulkner see his back early in the innings?
Prediction
Brisbane Heat did manage to win the first leg but on sheets, the Hurricanes look to have the slight edge. The conditions would be ideal for both the teams but the unavailability of their skipper Chris Lynn will prove a big turning point in this encounter.
Cricwizz predicts Hobart Hurricanes to win the match
