BBL 2018/19, Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat: Preview and Predicted Playing XI
Both Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat will aim to keep their playoff hopes alive when they face each other in the 36th fixture of Big Bash League 08 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Sunday.
Both teams have faced each other on nine occasions in the BBL 2018/19 with the sixers bamboozling the scoreline 8-1.
In their most recent clash on January 1 this season, Sixers thrashed Brisbane by five wickets. Batting first the Heat posted 164/7 but were overhauled by Sixers with three balls to spare.
Sydney Sixers
Sixers have won four and lost five matches out of the nine they have played so far in BBL 08 and are currently placed fifth on the points table with eight points. They are coming into this game after back to back defeats against Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades.
Batting
Sydney batting relies heavily on the Daniel Hughes and Jordan Silk, who have been their only regular runscorers this year so far and have scored 224 and 219 respectively. The duo will once again be key in upcoming fixture against Heat. While Moises Henriques was the pick of the lot with 57 runs in the reverse encounter against the Brisbane and will be expected to fire in this game as well.
Bowling: The Sixers bowling will depend mainly on Steve o Keefe, Sean Abbott, and Tom Curran to deliver the goods with the ball. Steve is leading the season's wicket chart with 15 wickets, while Abbott and Curran have taken 12 and 11 wickets respectively and these three will pose the biggest threat to the Stars.
Expected Playing XI
Moises Henriques (C), Daniel Hughes, Jack Edwards, James Vince, Jordan Silk, Josh Philippe, Tom Curran, Sean Abbott, Steve O Keefe, Ben Dwarshuis and Ben Manenti
Brisbane Heat
Brisbane have won three and lost four matches out of the eight games they have played so far in the BBL 08 and are currently placed the sixth spot on the points table with seven points, with the previous game against Sydney Thunder ending without a result.
Batting
Chris Lynn is currently second on the BBL 08 runs charts and has hit 317 runs this season comprising three half-centuries. While Brendon McCullum and Max Bryant scored 205 and 197 runs so far and it will be crucial from the team's perspective that these two come out with a big knock against Sydney Sixers.
Bowling
Mujeeb ur Rahman and Ben Cutting with seven wickets apiece in the tournament are the other two bowlers in the side who could cause a few problems for the Patriots. While Josh Laylor and Mitchell Swepson are the other contenders in the side with the ability to pick wickets and these two will be expected to swing the momentum in his team's favour with a tight spell during middle overs.
Expected Playing XI
Chris Lynn (C), Brendon McCullum, Max Bryant, Sam Heazlett, Ben Cutting, Jimmy Peirson, Mark Steketee, Josh Lalor, Jack Prestwidge, Mitchell Swepson and Mujeeb Ur Rahman