Team news, key match-ups, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, odds, form rundown, umpire appointments, start times, venue and squad lists for the 29th game of BBL11
Hobart Hurricanes v Brisbane Heat in the 29th game of the 2021-22 Big Bash.
The game is set for Saturday, January 1. The first ball will be bowled at 4pm local time (5am GMT).
The game will be held at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.
Hobart Hurricanes are one of the form sides as the BBL the group stage approaches the mid-way point.
They've reeled off three consecutive wins over Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades to sit in the play-off positions at the start of play.
Hurricanes secured their biggest win so far in their last outing, beating the Renegades by 85 runs at Marvel Stadium.
Ben McDermot struck his second century in a row, becoming the first man to do so in the BBL, smashing an imperious 127 from 65 balls as Hurricanes made 206 for 5.
The out-of-form Renegades never looked like reaching the target and were bowled out for 121 before the end of the 16th over.
Heat are clinging onto hope of reaching the playoffs but have work to do in the second half of the tournament.
They've won just twice but courtesy of collecting four bonus points remain in the hunt for a top-five place.
Their only wins came against the Renegades and Strikers - back in week three.
Heat did run defending champions Sydney Sixers close in their last meeting, however, losing by just two wickets in a low-scoring thriller at the SCG.
They were bowled out for just 105 with five balls to spare as Sean Abbott stared with 4 for 31.
In the chase, the Sixers were reduced to 47 for 8, but an unbeaten 37 from Abbott and 23 for Ben Dwarshuis took them across the line via the final delivery.
Tom Rogers has been an unlikely hero for the Hurricanes (Mike Owen/Getty Images)
With so much attention on McDermott and the Hurricanes' batting, which includes D'Arcy Short and Matthew Wade, if they're to stand any chance of scooping a maiden title they'll need their bowling attack to follow suit.
Tom Rogers was a late arrival at Hobart, returning to the team as their penultimate addition ahead of the new campaign.
He'd found success as a bowler during previous spells with the Hurricanes taking nine wickets across the 2017-18 and 2019-20 seasons.
Rogers has already doubled that tally in half a dozen matches in BBL 11, taking nine wickets at an economy rate of 7.63.
The only Hurricanes bowler to reach double figures for wickets, he'll need others to follow his lead. Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith are the frontline quicks in the attack and have taken eight scaps each.
James Bazley has been the Heat's outstanding performer with either bat or ball, taking 11 wickets and going at less than eight an over.
There have been few better bowling displays than the one the 26-year-old produced against Renegades, ripping through the middle-order to dismiss Sam Harper, Mohammad Nabi and James Seymour to lay the platform for a five-wicket win.
Nathan Johnstone and Donovan Koch are the men in the middle for this one.
There are likely to be scattered showers for the scheduled start of play while could lead to a delayed start. Clearing later, there should be enough time to fit in a reduced game.
Hobart Hurricanes: Scott Boland, Harry Brook (Jordan Cox), Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Peter Handscomb, Caleb Jewell, Josh Kann, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Joel Paris, Wil Parker, Tom Rogers, D’Arcy Short, Jordan Thompson (Tom Lammonby), Matthew Wade, Mac Wright
Brisbane Heat: Tom Abell, Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Max Bryant, Tom Cooper, Ben Duckett, Liam Guthrie, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne (Nathan McSweeney), Chris Lynn, Michael Neser (Cameron Gannon), Jimmy Pierson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Will Prestwidge, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson (Hugo Burdon), Jack Wildermuth
James Bazley (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Hobart Hurricanes: Ben McDermott, Matthew Wade, D'Arcy Short, Harry Brook, Tim David, Peter Handscomb, Jordan Thompson, Nathan Ellis, Tom Rogers, Riley Meredith, Sandeep Lamichhane
Brisbane Heat: Jimmy Pierson, Chris Lynn, Max Bryant, Tom Cooper, Ben Duckett, Sam Heazlett, Xavier Bartlett, Jack Wildermuth, James Bazley, Mark Steketee, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Hurricanes start this one as favourites with the bookmakers. They can be backed at 4/7 while Heat are available at 11/8.
This game comes at just the right time for Hurricanes, who having won their last three should be good for a fourth win in a row over Heat.
Sky Sports have bought the rights for the competition through to 2025, and they will broadcast all 61 games in the UK.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia: subscription broadcaster Fox show every game, while free-to-air Seven will simulcast 45 matches.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have ball-by-ball radio coverage of the tournament for UK listeners.
Where can I watch the competition elsewhere in the world?
North America: Willow
MENA: beIN Sports
Sub Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Indian Subcontinent: Sony
New Zealand: Sky Sport
BIG BASH TEAM GUIDES (open in external window in app)
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.