The Brisbane Heat have their destiny firmly in their hands as they look to get into the top four, when they host the red-hot Hobart Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have won six on the bounce and will be out to continue their strong form leading into the finals. Jack Tobin has you covered with his full betting preview below!
BBL14 Heat vs Hurricanes Betting Tips
Gabba, Thursday 16th January, 7:30pm AEDT
Brisbane Heat
Predicted XI: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Matthew Renshaw, Max Bryant, Tom Alsop, Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Mitch Swepson, Matt Kuhnemann, Spencer Johnson
The Heat will face some positive dilemmas at the selection table for Thursday night’s clash. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne return from Australian duties, while Paul Walter is available after missing the last two games through injury. Colin Munro is being rested after dislocating his finger against the Strikers on Saturday.
It’s rare that you make 195 and lose a T20 by 56 runs, but that was the scenario the Heat found themselves in after the Strikers piled on 5/251 against them on Saturday night. All five Brisbane bowlers went at economy rates over 10, as Michael Neser (0/53), Xavier Bartlett (0/53), Matt Kuhnemann (3/50), Spencer Johnson (0/45) and Mitch Swepson (2/41) all went the distance.
Fortunately for the Heat, they are the only side outside of the top four that has their destiny in their own hands. Two wins from their final two games will guarantee a finals berth, while one win would have the defending champions relying on other results to go their way. Given the Heat play the Renegades in their final game, they’ll have a foot in the finals if they can get over the line against the Canes.
Hobart Hurricanes
Predicted XI: Mitchell Owen, Caleb Jewell, Charlie Wakim, Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade, Tim David, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, Chris Jordan, Peter Hatzoglou, Riley Meredith,
A franchise record six straight wins has the Hurricanes sitting at the top of the table at the time of writing, after their four-wicket win over the Renegades. Riley Merdith took 3/36 as the Hurricanes restricted the Renegades to 7/154, then Tim David once again closed out the innings with 24* off 15 deliveries to see the Hurricanes home.
It’s the third straight game David has finished not out, taking his season tally to 191 runs at an average of 63.66, with a strike rate of 181.90. Matthew Wade batted down the order in a similar role he played for Australia later in his career and produced a season high score of 36.
Although a finals spot is secured, there is still plenty for the Hurricanes to play for in their final two games of the regular season. Two wins will guarantee them top spot, meaning they’d host the Qualifier in Hobart, while one win would mean top spot would come down to net run rate between them and the Sixers.
The Hurricanes did suffer a massive blow on Tuesday, with Billy Stanlake suffering a fractured scapula that will rule him out for the season. Ben McDermott missed Tuesday’s game with hamstring soreness, so it’s unlikely he’d be available 48 hours later.
Match Prediction
It’s been an up and down season for the Heat, however the inclusions of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will provide plenty of firepower to their batting unit. The Heat have had the better of the Hurricanes in recent seasons, winning six of the last nine meetings between the two sides.
The Hurricanes are picking up some injuries at the wrong time of the year, and they are a team that has won this season on the spread of even contributions. The Heat have the star power to give the Hurricanes plenty of issues with the defending champions at full strength outside of Colin Munro. With the Heat needing to win their next two games, expect a desperate Brisbane side to end the Canes winning streak.
Brisbane Heat to Win
$1.77 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bet
Matthew Renshaw has put together a consistent campaign for the Heat, scoring 200 runs at an average of 33.33 to be the 12th highest run scorer in BBL14. The most impressive part of Renshaw’s season however has been his improved scoring rate, with a strike rate of 169.49. Renshaw has scored 112 runs at an average of 37 at the Gabba this season, with his last outing an unbeaten 48 against the Thunder.
Matthew Renshaw – Heat Top Run Scorer
$5.75
