Big Bash 2022-23 match preview: Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash

The Cricketer | 31/12/2022 at 10:53

What's the match?

Brisbane Heat face Sydney Sixers in match 25 of the Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 6.15pm local time (8.15am GMT) on Sunday, January 1.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played in Brisbane at the Gabba.

Who's got the form?

Brisbane Heat have endured a difficult start to the Big Bash season, and have managed just one win from their five matches this season.

Following a mauling by Sydney Thunder on December 27, Heat responded with an improved batting display in the rematch against the same opposition on December 30, but they have been found wanting in most areas so far in BBL12.

It is a very different story for Sydney Sixers, who sit third in the table, having won each of their last four matches.

Back-to-back defeats at the start of the campaign have been forgotten, with disciplined bowling the key to their success. In the two matches against Melbourne Renegades since Christmas, the Sixers claimed 17 wickets while conceding just 239 runs in 40 overs.

With the bat, four Sydney Sixers batsmen are already into three figures for runs this BBL term: Jordan Silk, Josh Phillipe, Kurtis Patterson and James Vince. Of the Brisbane lineup, only Colin Munro has more. The Kiwi has 185 runs at a strike rate of 133, although 98 of those came in a single innings.

With the ball, Sean Abbott and Hayden Kerr both have nine wickets for Sydney Sixers. No one in the Heat squad has more than seven.

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^{Sydney Sixers are in fine form [Getty Images]}

What's the key match-up?

The Sydney Sixers' opening pair of Josh Philippe and Kurtis Patterson have the potential to take this game away from Brisbane Heat very quickly, regardless of whether Sixers bat first or second.

Heat have not been posting scores of substance, nor have they shown great staying power in the chase.

What's the weather forecast?

A moderate day in Brisbane, with temperatures touching 24 degrees Celsius at the start of play. There is a chance of rain in the hours before the first ball.

What is the team news?

Matthew Renshaw misses the game for Brisbane Heat after being added to the Australia Test squad. Allrounder Nathan McSweeney has been added to the 14-man Heat squad. Mitch Swepson trained on Saturday, showing no ill-effects after turning his ankle during the warmup ahead of the game against Sydney Thunder.

Chris Jordan drops out of the Sydney Sixers' squad for this fixture. Sixers' management say this is a rotation decision designed to manage workload. Naveen-ul-Haq is added to a 15-man group.

What are the squads?

Brisbane Heat: 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, Nathan McSweeney

Sydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Dan Christian, Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Izharulhaq Naveed, Chris Jordan, Steve O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Todd Murphy, Mickey Edwards, Jack Edwards, Steve Smith, Josh Kann, Naveen-ul-Haq

*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match

What are the possible starting XIs?

Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro, Max Bryant, Sam Billings, Jimmy Peirson, Ross Whiteley, James Bazley, Nathan McSweeney, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson, Mark Steketee, Matthew Kuhnemann

Sydney Sixers: Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, James Vince, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Ben Dwarshuis, Naveen-ul-Haq, Jackson Bird, Ilzharulhaq Haveed

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Brisbane Heat sit bottom of the BBL table [Getty Images]

What are the odds?

Brisbane Heat are the underdogs with a best price of 6/4 available at the bookies. Favourites Sydney Sixers are generally 8/13.

What's the prediction?

This looks like a mismatch, on form and potential. Sydney Sixers win.

Are tickets available?

Tickets for adults start at $22, with kids' entry $8, and can be purchased on Ticketek.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.

Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.

Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia while coverage will also be available via streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.