It’s Finals time in BBL13, and the Brisbane Heat will host the Sydney Sixers in the Qualifier on Friday to decide who books their ticket to the big dance!
Both teams will be without many of their international stars for this clash, so local talent will determine which side comes out on top at Heritage Bank Stadium.
Draftstars have put up a huge $15,000 contest for this clash, as well as a Big Bash Star Qualifier.
Also, you can find our full Heat vs Sixers preview and betting tips here!
BIG BASH LEAGUE (BBL13) FINALS FANTASY TIPS: HEAT VS SIXERS
Heat Squad: Xavier Bartlett, Josh Brown, Max Bryant, Jordan Buckingham, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan McSweeney, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Mitchell Swepson, Charlie Wakim, Paul Walter, Jack Wildermuth, Jack Wood
Sixers Squad: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Ryan Hadley, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Izharulhaq Naveed, Steve O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk
The Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers will play off for a spot in the BBL13 Final after finishing first and second on the table, respectively, with both sides deserving of those positions.
The Heat have been one of the biggest surprises of this year’s competition, building on unexpected success last season to again be among the contenders.
Lacking batting star power apart from import Colin Munro (224 runs), Brisbane have relied on a consistent, adaptable bowling attack including three of the top 10 wicket takers in the league (Xavier Bartlett, Paul Walter and Spencer Johnson).
Bartlett has been especially brilliant, taking 16 wickets to lead all comers. It truly does say something about a team’s bowling depth if Michael Neser doesn’t make the podium.
As such, the Heat will be confident that they can go one further this year, even without Munro and Sam Billings, who will undoubtedly be missed.
The Sixers have taken a similar path to reach this point, utilising their bowling riches to chalk up a 6-2 record.
Just about every player has made a contribution at some point during the campaign, with James Vince (244 runs) and Ben Dwarshuis (11 wickets) the standout performers.
Unfortunately for the men in magenta, Vince has departed for his next white ball commitment, leaving a deep hole at the top of the order.
Kurtis Patterson and Hayden Kerr shape up as the best available replacements, but it’s likely that the bowlers will be required to stand up yet again.
Fantasy Plays
Love It – Hayden Kerr ($14,600)
After missing most of the tournament through injury, Kerr is back in the XI and has had a couple of games to re-establish himself. Kerr is a genuine all-rounder, and given the lack of quality batters suiting up for this match, I expect him to play a significant role with both bat and ball. Furthermore, there are some whispers that the 27-year-old could open the batting in place of James Vince. If so, this pick is almost a lock.
Love It – Steve O’Keefe ($11,300)
SOK has performed solidly in his final BBL campaign, averaging 39 DFS points including a 118-point haul against the Thunder last start. Alongside the rest of the Sixers bowling attack, the veteran spinner should enjoy bowling to Brisbane’s weakened, right-hander heavy batting lineup, setting him up for a solid haul in this final.
Don’t Love It – Josh Phillipe ($18,600)
Phillipe is comfortably the most expensive batsman on this slate at nearly $19k, and I simply can’t justify that price tag given his output and the strength of the Heat bowling attack. Phillipe has averaged just 46 DFS points this campaign, with no score over 80, so I think it’s unlikely he will break the slate on Friday, especially considering that Brisbane boast the likes of Neser, Bartlett and Johnson at the top.
Don’t Love It – Jimmy Pierson ($12,500)
Pierson returned to the side against the Scorchers with good effect, managing 52 DFS points in his first game of the season. That performance has resulted in a salary hike of $3k, which is quite off-putting when you consider Pierson’s small sample size. I don’t yet have the trust in the Heat gloveman to justify his new price point, so I’ll be fading here.
Who Knows – Matthew Renshaw ($9,700)
Renshaw will be racking up the frequent flyer points this week, flying from Adelaide to Brisbane and back again in order to play the BBL Qualifier. It’s a necessary hassle for the Heat, who need every batsman they can get, but Renshaw has hardly been in sparkling form, averaging just 25 DFS points. With that said, the classy left-hander is always good for a couple ceiling games per season, and he is well overdue.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
