FANTASY
Follow UsBrisbane Heat will take on Sydney Thunder in Match 28 of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020/21. The Heat defeated Sydney Sixers in their previous game to register their second win of the season. Now, they are seeking momentum by piling on that victory. Their opponents, the Thunder know a thing or two about winning consecutive games as they have won five on the bounce heading into this game. Heat are boosted by Chris Lynn’s inclusion in the squad. He will return as the side’s premier batsman and captain after nursing his hamstring injury.
Ground details and team combination
Generally a good batting track, the Gabba has not produced enough runs this year. The average run-rate of 7.9 runs per over is the second lowest amongst all BBL venues this year. A lot has to do with the home team. Playing all the three games to be played here as yet, the Heat have bowled brilliantly but their batting has been on the other end of the spectrum. With Lynn in the side, they are expected to bat better.
Spinners here have taken wickets at an average of 14.6 runs per wicket, the best amongst all venues. However, that number is skewed by a terrific performance by Mujeeb Ur Rahman who bagged a five-wicket haul against Hobart Hurricanes.
Suggested team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms we come up with six different teams that could fetch crucial points.
Captain Selection
Chris Lynn is back and he must be keen on improving his side’s fortunes with the bat. An average of 59.6 at a strike-rate of 173.5 - both his highest against any side in the competition’s history - will certainly boost his confidence. He came into his own the last time his team up against the Thunder, scoring 69 in Canberra 20 days ago. The 33-year-old, however, will have to be wary of the leg-spinner, Tanveer Sangha. The right-arm wrist spinners have been the only Achilles Heel for Lynn - an average of 21.9 with a strike-rate of 105.2 in BBL.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Lynn could score 14-37 runs in this match.
X-Factors
The last time these two sides played against each other, Daniel Sams was on a rampage. He picked 2 for 32 with the ball before blazing his way through a 25-ball 65 which snatched a victory for his team from the jaws of a defeat. Since then, however, Heat’s bowling has picked up. The Thunder has also batted brilliantly since then which does not put Sams in the best position to reap you benefits with his bat.
With the ball, Sams remains to be the ace. He bowls the important overs for the Thunder, giving him the best chances to be amongst wickets. Although, the last few games have not brought him many wickets. He has picked one wicket each in the last four games, which is why we advice him in the vice-captain’s role.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Sams could score 8-25 runs and pick 1-2 wickets in this match.
Max Bryant is on an upward surge. After a below-par start, he picked up while watching the others tumble around him to score a couple of 30s. In the previous match, he scored 40 at a strike-rate of 174, giving signs of getting closer towards a more substantial contribution rather than being away from it.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Bryant could score 13-36 runs in this match.
Lewis Gregory has filled the allrounder’s role for Brisbane Heat. In his first match of the season, he picked three wickets and in his second, he scored 29 runs. In the previous game, he scored a match-winning 31 not out after snapping one scampi with the ball. The way Heat’s squad is framed, Gregory sits decently to contribute in both facets of the game moving forward. He also bowls in the death overs.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Gregory could score 10-27 runs and pick 0-1 wickets in this match.
