The Heat take on the Strikers in the 2nd game of a Friday night BBL12 double-header on the 23rd of December. The Heat will need to get motoring in BBL12 as they look to get their first win on the board, while the Strikers are undefeated and sitting pretty atop the BBL12 ladder.
We have you covered with a full preview and BBL betting tips for the Heat vs Strikers below!
BBL12 Heat vs Strikers Betting Tips
Gabba, Friday 7.00pm (AEDT)
Brisbane Heat
Predicted XI: Max Bryant, Colin Munro, Matt Renshaw, Sam Billings, Jimmy Peirson, Ross Whiteley, Michael Neser, James Bazley, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann
The Heat moved to 0-2 on the season as they went down to the Melbourne Renegades for the 2nd straight time on Wednesday night. It was their batting line-up that failed in their most recent clash, which was surprising given the star power they have in their top five including imports Colin Munro and Sam Billings.
With two of their big guns on international duty at the moment, the Heat don’t have a lot of depth to call upon, so will need more out of their Australian core in the likes of Bryant, Renshaw and Peirson. Their bowling looks really solid, with proven BBL talent that has been among the best in the league over the past few seasons.
Adelaide Strikers
Predicted XI: Jake Weaherald, Matt Short, Chris Lynn, Adam Hose, Colin de Grandhomme, Thomas Kelly, Harry Nielson, Rashid Khan, Wes Agar, Henry Thornton, Peter Siddle
Not only are the Strikers rolling at 3-0 on the season, they have basically an extra win on the board due to the insane net run rate boost they got from bowling the Thunder out for just 15 a few games ago. They sit atop the BBL table with a ridiculous +3.113 net run rate, likely the best we’ve ever seen in the 12 years of competition.
Their batting looked to be a weak link in the lead up to the season but good performances so far from Matt Short and Chris Lynn have helped them put up at least defendable scores for their dominant bowling attack so far.
Match Prediction
The Strikers start as strong favourites here but I’m going against the grain and predicting this Brisbane Heat line-up to bounce back at home. The Heat bowling line-up is ridiculously underrated and I think they are capable of keeping their opponents to a manageable total on any given night.
It’s also just a matter of time until this Heat batting line-up finds its feet as well with the star power they have up top. Like all BBL games, so much relies on the toss and the wicket, but at face value, I think the Heat are a solid play here.
Same Game Multi
Like the value of Sam Billings to perform at the Gabba on Friday night. The Englishman has an average of 23.0 in T20 cricket but that number rise to 30.3 at the Gabba. Batting at four should provide him with some more stability than having to go hard a the top of the order as well.
Pairing that with what I think are two of the best spinners in the competition to grab a scalp each in Rashid Khan and Matt Kuhnemann. Rashid didn't get a chance to bowl in the dominant win over the Thunder but he has claimed four wickets in his other two games so far this season. As for Kuhnemann, the talented offy has taken three wickets in his two games.
Sam Billings 20+ Runs
Rashid Khan 1+ Wicket
Matt Kuhnemann 1+ Wicket
HEA vs STR Same Game Multi
$3.45
