BBL The Challenger Tips and Previews, 2 February
After 50 days and 59 games, just two matches remain until the BBL 12 champions are crowned for season 2022/23. Perth Scorchers have already booked their spot in Saturday’s night decider, but will they face the Sydney Sixers or Brisbane Heat?
Bet Nation takes an in-depth look at both sides heading into this mouthwatering match-up on Thursday night.
Sydney Sixers vs. Brisbane Heat
February 2nd
The Sixers were the form side of the competition heading into The Qualifier against the Scorchers, and they have the backing of the market in this one at $1.53.
Unfortunately for the men in pink, the Scorchers proved far too strong in front of the Perth crowd. They chased down the Sixers’ 151-run target with seven wickets and nine balls in hand. Moises Henriques continued his impressive run with the bat, belting a team-high 58 (43) on the back of consecutive scores of 23* and 45*. Sean Abbott was the only Sixers player to do any damage with the ball as he claimed all three wickets.
Jordan Silk’s 47* (34) was also crucial for the Sixers, who will be without Steve Smith after being called up to Australia’s Test tour of India. It’s a massive blow for the Sydneysiders after Smith recreated the meaning of T20 batting with consecutive centuries and an average of 86.50 from his five games. Daniel Hughes will reportedly return to the line-up in place of Smith, but it is unclear whether he will partner with Josh Phillipe at the top of the order. Kurtis Patterson and Hayden Kerr are the Sixers’ two alternative options.
The Brisbane Heat’s quest for a second BBL championship got infinitely more challenging with news of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw joining Smith on the tour of India.
The trio have led the Heat’s resurgence during BBL 12 and helped secure six wins from their past seven games. Khawaja was the star of their Knockout Final against the Melbourne Renegades, with his 59 (47) leading the Heat to the 162-run target.
Nathan McSweeney, Max Bryant and Sam Heazlett have been recalled to the Heat squad in place of the outgoing trio. While clearly lacking the batting acumen of the Test stars, Heat fans will remember McSweeney’s performance against the Sixers earlier in the season with great fondness. It was McSweeney’s first of three games, and he starred with 84 (51), leading the Heat to a shock victory at the Gabba.
The key to the Heat’s chances will once again lie with paceman Michael Neser, who has starred in BBL 12 with 24 wickets from 15 games. He sits behind just Abbott and Perth’s Andrew Tye for wickets.
While the Heat is the only side the Sixers have not beaten this season – one win and one draw – losing three of their top four batsmen makes this an incredibly difficult task. The Sixers were unstoppable heading into finals, and punters can expect a return to form in front of an SCG crowd.
