Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat Predictions: BBL10 20th Match Preview

When you’re vying for the top spot in a league, it’s painful to be shot down by, of all the teams, the one at the very bottom. Hobart Hurricanes faced just that when they lost to Brisbane Heat in their last match, and here they are again for the return fixture of that matchup. Heat on the other hand will be happy to have finally come to life, and will be looking to get another win to get back into serious contention. Once again, we have two back-to-back fixtures between the same teams, and whether for better or for worse, it’s going to be competitive. Before the cameras start rolling, let’s take a look at the two teams. 

Hobart Hurricanes Predicted XI, Preview, Form, and Key players

Predicted XI: Peter Handscomb (c), Scott Boland, Nathan Ellis, David Moody, Ben McDermott (wk), Riley Meredith, D’Arcy Short, Dawid Malan, Keemo Paul, Colin Ingram, Tim David.

The same Hobart Hurricanes that was riding high 3 matches ago suddenly finds itself down in fourth place, potentially fifth if Melbourne Stars win against Sydney Thunder. Desperate for a win, HH will be putting maximum effort into their next match in order to climb back up - which will be difficult with their main bowler James Faulkner injured. In their previous match against Brisbane Heat, Hobart’s batsmen started slower than they would have liked, and lost wickets at regular intervals. With their highest scorer being D’Arcy Short with only 27, the Hurricanes finished on a lukewarm 148. Defending the target appeared futile at first, but a flurry of wickets gave hope until it was taken away and extinguished by Heat’s tail as they won with 4 wickets and 16 balls in hand. For HH, D’Arcy Short of all people was the best bowler with 18 for 3 off 4, and Riley Meredith was solid for his figures of 4-0-24-2. 

HH Key Players

• Ben McDermott: He may have done poorly in the last game, but McDermott is still as potent as he has always been. 

• Dawid Malan: The England international averages a ridiculous 53 in T20Is, and needs to bring that form to the domestic variety of the format. 

• D’Arcy Short: Short did well last game, but couldn’t continue his innings. This time around, he needs to have a big game for the sake of both his continued selection and his team’s playoff spot.

• Scott Boland: With no Faulkner, the pressure will be on Boland to perform extra well. He has certainly shown that he has the ability, but carrying out such a task in practice is another thing.

Brisbane Heat Predicted XI, Preview, Form, and Key players

Predicted XI: Chris Lynn (c), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Tom Cooper, Sam Heazlett, Dan Lawrence, Jimmy Peirson (wk), James Bazley, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jack Wildermuth, Lewis Gregory. 

Better late than never, as the saying goes. Despite 3 losses on the trot giving them a horror start, Brisbane Heat have come back and climbed into 6th place. If they win their next match, they will be within touching distance of the close-knit pack that currently comprises the top half of the table. In their last match, BH made their decision to field first count as the heroics of Gregory, Steketee, Rahman, and Wildermuth restricted the Hurricanes to an unimpressive 148. During their chase, Max Bryand and Sam Heazlett gave BH a great start, but a quick collapse saw them reduced to 102 for 6. Thankfully, they were well ahead of the run rate, and Jimmy Peirson and James Bazley took them to the target well in advance.

BH Key Players

• Sam Heazlett: Heazlett’s fast-paced 48 was crucial to Heat’s first win, and more will be expected of him now that the floodgates have opened. 

• Max Bryant: Although scoring a small amount of runs every match, Bryant is yet to maximize his potential or time in the middle. His last inning was his best yet, though, and it can be hoped that good things are on the horizon.

• Lewis Gregory: On his very first match this year, Gregory showed great skill to pick up a trio of wickets and be the player of the match. He will be important in tackling HH’s strong batting lineup.

• Jimmy Peirson: After losing the previous match by a hair’s width, Peirson will feel vindicated after their victory, and that might translate into even better performances.

HH vs BH weather and pitch conditions

With cloudy skies and a 40% chance of rain, prospects of a full 40-over match look grim, but let’s hope the elements will be kind. At least the temperature will be at a pleasant mid-twenties. 

The pitch at the Gabba hasn’t been too kind on batsmen, while also being strongly favourable to spinners. Whoever bats first should be careful, and content with anything in the 160 region. 

Can the Hurricanes make a comeback to earn back their spot in the top 3? Or will Heat’s delayed start turn into a run of success? Find out if our Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat predictions come true on Wednesday!