The Gabba hosts a fascinating early season Big Bash matchup on Saturday night as the Brisbane Heat look to steady their campaign against an Adelaide Strikers side also searching for consistency. Both teams have flashed upside through the opening rounds without quite delivering a complete performance, making this an important game for momentum as the tournament begins to take shape.
Big Bash League (BBL15) Heat vs Strikers Betting Tips
Gabba, Saturday 27th December, 7:15pm AEDT
Brisbane Heat
Brisbane come into this contest with a 1 and 2 start, having sandwiched a remarkable record chase against the Scorchers between losses to the Renegades and Thunder. Their most recent outing against Sydney was a frustrating one, particularly with the ball. Bowling first, the Heat struggled badly with their lines and lengths, allowing the Thunder to post 4 for 193 from their 20 overs. Jack Wildermuth was the lone bright spot, continuing his strong start to the season with figures of 2 for 25 from four overs while the rest of the attack failed to apply sustained pressure.
With the bat, Brisbane never truly threatened the chase, finishing on 6 for 159. Matt Renshaw was the standout with a fluent 43 from 28 balls, but the innings told a familiar story of starts without substance. Six of the top seven reached double figures, yet no one was able to convert into a match defining knock. Given how the Gabba surface has played, there is a strong case for Brisbane to tweak the balance of their attack, with spinner Paddy Dooley a chance to come in alongside Matt Kuhnemann to provide control through the middle overs.
Adelaide Strikers
Adelaide arrive at 1 and 1 after a promising opening win over the Sixers was followed by a loss to the Stars on Tuesday night. Batting first in that game, the Strikers were left short of a competitive total, managing just 8 for 155 from their 20 overs. Matt Short again underlined his importance at the top of the order with 56 from 42 balls, but the lack of support around him proved costly, with only one other batter able to reach 25.
Melbourne chased the target comfortably, getting home with 11 balls to spare. Hasan Ali was the pick of the Strikers bowlers, finishing with 2 for 25 from three overs, but the rest of the attack struggled to create enough pressure to slow the Stars down. Selection wise, Adelaide may regain Luke Wood after illness, which would bolster their pace stocks, while there is also the option of injecting more firepower at the top of the order by calling on recruit Mackenzie Harvey if they feel they need a spark.
Match Prediction
This shapes as a strong bounce back opportunity for Brisbane at home. The Heat are yet to see the best of Shaheen Afridi, but at his peak he remains one of the most dangerous T20 bowlers in the world, and another outing at the Gabba should only help him grow into the conditions. While the Heat batting lineup does show some vulnerability on paper, Matt Renshaw is in arguably career best form and Colin Munro is still due for a defining innings. With genuine match winners through the middle order and experience down the list, Brisbane look well placed to respond and reclaim momentum with a win on Saturday night.
Heat to win
$1.93 (1 Unit)
BBL Heat vs Strikers Prop Bet
After a breakout campaign in BBL14 where he won player of the tournament and player of the Final en route to Australian selection, Mitch Owen has struggled to start BBL15. Scores of 32, 8 and 0 have been an underwhelming start, but it’s clear Owen is one of the best players in the competition, and he’s due to bounce back soon. The last time Owen played against the Scorchers, he smashed 101* off 64 deliveries, and he’ll be desperate to make a big contribution.
Matt Renshaw 30+ Runs
$2.10
