Big Bash League 2022-23: Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes – Match 49 Preview and Updates

Cricket

The Brisbane Heat has three games remaining in their quest to reach the BBL finals. With 9 points and a net run rate of -0.721, they are currently second from last in the points table. They still have a chance to turn things around if they win their remaining matches and hope for some other results to go their way. Brisbane will play the Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba on the 20th. With 10 points and a net run rate of -0.270, the Hurricanes are fifth on the table. A win here increases their chances of finishing in the top four.

The 49^th Match between Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes will take place on January 20^th, 2023 at The Gabba, Brisbane.

Match Details to Note

Match: Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes, Match 49, Big Bash League 2022-23

Date: January 20, 2023 (Friday)

Time: 2:30 PM IST

Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane

Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes

Brisbane Heat (Match Odds – 2.10):

Preview:

After two consecutive losses to the Perth Scorchers, the Brisbane Heat staged a sort of comeback by winning two consecutive games against the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars. Brisbane won their previous game against the Stars in a last-ball thriller while chasing a target of 160. Matt Renshaw led them to victory with an unbeaten 90 off 56 balls. It was the left-handed batter’s first fifty-hit performance of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

With their leading run-scorer, Colin Munro, and middle-order batter Sam Billings departing for the International League T20, the onus will be on skipper Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, along with Renshaw, to do the bulk of the scoring.

Brisbane’s bowling has been dominated by new ball bowler Michael Neser, who leads the team in wickets with 15 at an economy of 8.21. The right-arm seam bowler finished with 4-25 against the Melbourne Stars the other night. Other notable bowlers include medium pacer James Bazley (12 wickets in 7 innings at 8.48) and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann (11 wickets in 10 innings at 7.53).

Full Squad:

Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Sam Billings, Max Bryant, Sam Hain, Sam Heazlett, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ross Whiteley, Jack Wildermuth, Spencer Johnson, Will Prestwidge, Josh Brown

Possible Playing XI:

Josh Brown, Usman Khawaja (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Sam Hain, Jimmy Peirson (wk), James Bazley, Michael Neser, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann

Hobart Hurricanes (Match Odds – 1.75):

Preview:

The Hobart Hurricanes are coming off a seven-wicket defeat to the Perth Scorchers. Batting first in Perth, they could only manage 146-9, and the Scorchers chased it down in 17.3 overs. The Hurricanes, too, have three matches remaining to reach the BBL finals.

The Hurricanes will be counting on Tim David, their leading scorer this season, to deliver. This season, he’s averaged 40 and struck out at 162. Caleb Jewell, the starter, has also been consistent (247 runs in 8 innings with a strike rate of 159.35). Captain Matthew Wade has had a few quiet games, but he should never be underestimated. He was in excellent form in the first half of the season and will be eager to produce a few big hits.

Riley Meredith has 17 wickets in 11 innings for the Hurricanes, with an economy of 8.25. Patrick Dooley, a left-arm chinaman, is also having a fantastic season, taking 16 wickets in 9 matches at an economy rate of 6.09. Nathan Ellis, a right-arm seamer, is another bowler to keep an eye on (14 wickets in 11 matches at 8.66).

Full Squad:

Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Caleb Jewell, Shadab Khan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, D’Arcy Short, Matthew Wade, Billy Stanlake, Paddy Dooley, Chris Tremain, Mac Wright, Zak Crawley, Jimmy Neesham

Possible Playing XI:

Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Zak Crawley, Matthew Wade (c & wk), D Arcy Short, Tim David, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Andrews, Nathan Ellis, Patrick Dooley, Riley Meredith

Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes Head to Head

Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes Head to Head Stats in T20s

	Matches Played	HEA Won	HUR Won	Tie	NR
Overall	20	8	12	0	0

Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes Toss Prediction

Batting gets easier in the second half at this venue, as the chasing side has won 27 of the 53 matches played here. The captain who wins the toss will most likely bat first.

Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes Pitch Report

At the Gabba, the average score when batting first is 165. However, we have already seen a high-scoring game here this season, when Brisbane Heat smashed 224-5 on batting first against Sydney Sixers, the highest team total in T20s at the Gabba. Furthermore, the Sixers responded with a total of 209 points. It remains to be seen whether the pitch remains as flat as it was during that game, but the team batting first should aim for at least 180-190 runs.

The pitch at the Gabba provides consistent bounce and swing, with plenty of assistance for seam bowlers. Batters will get their chance to score once they’ve gotten a feel for the conditions. The quick outfield will also help their cause.

Rain is expected in Brisbane on the day of the game, which may result in a shortened game.

Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes Prediction

Hobart Hurricanes have won two of the last five games between these two teams, while Brisbane Heat have won three. Brisbane Heat have not been in the best of form this season. Without Munro and Billings, their batting lineup appears to be a little thin, and they may struggle against the Hurricanes’ potent bowling unit. The Hurricanes have a well-balanced lineup and should easily win this game. Check out the odds at Cricbaba!

Hobart Hurricanes is the favourite to beat Brisbane Heat at the odds of 1.75.