Written Preview BBL6 Semi Final 2 - Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers @ The Gabba
2nd Semi Final - Brisbane Heat (2nd) v Sydney Sixers (3rd) @ The Gabba
Preview - Finals time is finally here and we get a ripper to start with as the Sixers travel north to face the Heat at a sold out Gabba. The Sixers managed to secure their finals spot in dramatic fashion with a thrilling 3-wicket victory over the Stars at the MCG. The Sixers have blown hot and cold throughout BBL6, however have an experienced team that knows how to win when crunch time arrives. They are one of the more successful BBL franchises, having won one title, made two Grand Finals and won a now defunct Champions League. The Heat has been a resurrection story this year under new captain Brendon McCullum. After three straight seasons outside the finals, the Heat managed to finish on top of the table after claiming 5 victories from their 8 games. The Heat, however, were far better on the road winning all 4 games. Their home form has been less than impressive and they head into this clash having just 1 from 4 at the Gabba this season. Earlier this season when the sides met at the Gabba, the Sixers chased down 197 to pull off a come from behind 3-wicket victory.
Squad Changes - The Heat look to be at full strength outside of Chris Lynn. They get a massive inclusion with experienced leg spinner Samuel Badree finally back to full fitness, with Badree coming in for Nick Buchanan. Badree is a master in the bowling Power Play and the Heat will be looking to him to get them off on the right foot in the field. The Sixers look like they are going with an unchanged squad of 13. Steven O'Keefe is playing a NSW 2nd XI game, and while they are missing Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, those guys have not been available at any stage this year, so the likes of Bird, Botha, Lyon and Henriques will be expected to do the bulk of the bowling.
Brisbane Heat Scouting Report - The Heat's skipper, Brendon McCullum, is the key man in this Brisbane outfit and the Sixers need to get him out really early. McCullum has 277 runs at 46 with an eye watering strike rate of 170. However, he is very suspect often in his first 5-10 balls so that will be a big moment in this game. I have been impressed with Sam Heazlett, the young left hander, since he has slotted in to Number 3. While Heazlett only has 75 runs at an average of 25, his strike rate is 170, and he is continuing the momentum that the likes of McCullum are setting. Ben Cutting played his best innings of BBL6 in the Heat’s last game against the Renegades, belting 35 from 19 balls. The likelihood is this game is going to be tight, so someone like Cutting coming in at 6 or 7 could prove vital. The likes of Jimmy Peirson and Alex Ross have struggled lately and they could be the weak links in this Heat batting line up. Peirson has just 120 runs at 15, opening the batting in every game.
The Heat's young bowling unit had really improved as a unit until they conceded 199 against the Renegades in their final game. They are taken apart in the bowling Power Play and Samuel Badree coming back in will really ease the pressure and the burden on their young bowlers. Badree only took 4 wickets in his four games, however his economy rate of 6.1 is like gold and he is used to playing in big semi-finals like this having won two T20 World Cups with the West Indies. Mitchell Swepson and Mark Steketee have been outstanding, claiming 24 wickets between them and both going for under 8 runs per over. The Heat’s weak links with the ball are probably Jake Wildermuth and Ben Cutting who are both going at over 9 runs per overs, so expect the Sixers to really target those overs.
Sydney Sixers Scouting Report - The biggest strength of the Sixers batting line up is their strength and depth in the middle to lower orders. Not many sides would be able to call upon decent batsman like Johan Botha and Sean Abbott at 7 and 8, however they proved they could dig the side out of trouble with an outstanding 59-run partnership to rescue the Sixers against the Stars. To win this game, I think the Sixers need a half century or more out of either Nic Maddinson or captain Moises Henriques. Maddinson has been a gross disappointment so far with only 73 runs at an average of 14. Henriques averages 25, however has not capitalised on his good form. Colin Munro, the Kiwi overseas import, is yet to fire in two games and it will be interesting to see whether the Sixers continue their experiment of batting him at Number 3 ahead of Maddinson.
The Sixers have had mixed performances from their bowlers in BBL6, however their death bowling was very good against the Melbourne Stars. Ben Dwarshuis has been outstanding at the death during the BBL, and he now has 12 wickets at an average of 20 and an economy rate of 8.3. Sean Abbott has had a fantastic BBL6 and is the leading wicket taker in the competition with 16 wickets at 15, with an economy rate of 8.3. Both Nathan Lyon and Johan Botha have been doing a good holding job in the middle overs, while it was interesting to see Mosies Henriques return to the bowling crease for the first time this year against the Stars.
Verdict - After last night’s one-sided contest I think we might get a cracker of a game here. I think the Sixers have an advantage in big game experience, with the Heat being outside the finals for the past few seasons, and having a pretty young side. However, that is offset by the Heat being at home and being led by one of the great captains of the past decade in Brendon McCullum. I think this game might come down to McCullum’s first 10 balls. He can be very vulnerable there, however after that he often goes on a blitzkrieg that can take the game away from the opposition. The Sixers clearly need more from Nic Maddinson and Colin Munro and I think one of them might fire tonight in this big game arena. The Gabba has been probably the best batting wicket in this competition, so I think the side batting first will be looking for a score of over 180. Keep in mind the Sixers ran down the Heat’s 187 when they clashed at the Gabba two weeks ago. However, in the pressure of a final, I don't expect the scores to be quite as high.
The Lurker - "I’m going with the underdog here and the Sixers to get the job done for the second time this year against the Heat. I like Henriques to score 25+ into a Sixers win and a High Bat/Bowler double of Maddinson into Abbott."