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2017-18 Big Bash League – Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder Preview

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When? Wednesday, 27th December

Where? The Gabba

Weather? There is a 60% chance of showers in the morning and afternoon and a chance of a thunderstorm in the west in the morning and afternoon, so play may be affected if that runs into the evening

What channel is it on? Channel TEN in Australia & BT Sport 2 in the UK

Are tickets still available? http://www.brisbaneheat.com.au/tickets

Where can I stream the match? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match online via the BT Sport website

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last five meetings: Brisbane Heat W4, Sydney Thunder W1
All-time meetings: Brisbane Heat W5, Sydney Thunder W1

BRISBANE HEAT

Coach: Daniel Vettori

Captain: Brendon McCullum

  • The Brisbane Heat play their third match in BBL07 and they will be looking to pick up their second win over the tournament in front of a sellout crowd as they look to bounce back from the loss to the Melbourne Renegades last time out.
  • After leaving star batsman Chris Lynn out of their team for the opening two matches as he recovers from shoulder surgery, they are finally expected to name the big-hitter in their line-up for this game which is a major boost for them.
  • They are also lifted by the return of batsman Joe Burns who excelled in the opening win but he missed the second game due to a groin strain and he replaces Cameron Gannon to further boost the Heat’s batting power.

SYDNEY THUNDER

Coach: Paddy Upton

Captain: Shane Watson

  • After beating the Sixers in their opening match, the Thunder lost to the Adelaide Strikers in their second game so they too will look to get back to winning ways in Brisbane albeit as underdogs against the Heat.
  • They have named an unchanged 13-man squad for this game which means Callum Ferguson is named but he has yet to play this season due to the quad strain he picked up in a practice match before BBL07 started.
  • They will hope they can use Ferguson here but either way they know they must improve with the bat as that has been their main weakness so far and Jos Buttler especially has been somewhat underwhelming.

PREDICTION
If the Brisbane Heat can count on Lynn and Burns for this game, they will strongly fancy their chances of outscoring and overpowering the Sydney Thunder here. The visitors have bowled well so far with Arjun Nair shining, but this will be comfortably the best batting line-up they have faced so far, and they will struggle to match the Heat’s immense striking power. It is likely to be the Heat that pick up their second win here.

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