New Year’s Eve Big Bash action heads to Adelaide Oval as the Strikers host the Brisbane Heat in a rematch just four days after their clash in Brisbane. The Heat got the upper hand on Saturday night, and with both sides largely settled, this shapes as a fascinating test of whether Adelaide can adjust at home or if Brisbane’s depth and balance will again prove decisive.
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Big Bash League (BBL15) Strikers vs Heat Betting Tips
Adelaide Oval, Wendesday 31st December, 7:15pm AEDT
Adelaide Strikers
The Strikers come into this contest sitting sixth on the ladder with a 1 and 2 record, still searching for consistency through the early part of the season. In their most recent outing against the Heat in Brisbane, they were competitive throughout. Bowling first, they did well to restrict Brisbane to 9 for 179, with skipper Matt Short leading from the front with 2 for 13 off three overs and Hasan Ali chipping in with 2 for 36 from his four.
The chase ultimately fell just short. Adelaide were bowled out for 172 on the second last ball of the innings despite another outstanding performance from Short, who smashed 63 off 39 balls to almost carry them home. Outside of their captain, runs were harder to come by, and that remains the concern. There are options available, with Alex Ross and Jason Sangha capable of returning to bolster the batting, while Mackenzie Harvey is under pressure. Jerrssis Wadia impressed with the bat and could be rewarded with a bigger role, potentially allowing Henry Thornton to return and strengthen the attack.
Brisbane Heat
The Heat arrive in Adelaide full of confidence after that win, which lifted them to a 2 and 2 record and into third place on the table. Their innings in Brisbane was rebuilt superbly after early damage, with Max Bryant playing the key role, blasting 63 off just 32 balls to drag the Heat to a competitive total. That ability to absorb pressure and still post strong scores has been a recurring theme in their wins.
With the ball, Brisbane were again excellent. Xavier Bartlett continued his outstanding start to the season with figures of 3 for 26, keeping the Strikers in check at key moments and reinforcing his growing reputation as one of the competition’s most reliable quicks. Selection hinges on fitness, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Tom Alsop both carrying knee concerns. Afridi is expected to be available after only bruising, while Alsop’s lack of form could see Lachlan Hearne come in regardless. Even with absentees due to Test duty and injury, the Heat still bat deep and retain strong balance across their XI.
Match Prediction
Adelaide will take confidence from how close they came in Brisbane and from returning to a venue where they are traditionally far more comfortable. Matt Short is in outstanding form and again looms as the key figure, but the concern is whether enough support arrives around him. At present, the Strikers’ top order looks thin and inexperienced, particularly if changes are not made.
Brisbane, by contrast, look better equipped across all phases. Their batting runs deep, with Bryant capable of match-winning impact from number six and Peirson still to come after him, while Bartlett and Afridi give them genuine wicket-taking threat with the ball. If Afridi continues to build rhythm, the Heat appear well placed to control the key moments again. The lean is Brisbane Heat to make it back-to-back wins over the Strikers, even away from home, as their depth and balance continue to shine through.
Heat to win
$2.00 (2 Units)
BBL Strikers vs Heat Prop Bet
Matt Renshaw to score 25+ runs is the play again here after saluting on Saturday night. He finished last season in outstanding touch, clearing 34 in four straight innings, and has carried that form straight into this campaign with scores of 102, 43 and 33 in his last three outings. Add in a strong record against his former side where he averages 51, plus a solid Adelaide Oval return of 30.14, and everything points toward another composed top order contribution.
