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

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 | 03/01/2023 at 16:31

What's the match?

Sydney Sixers take on Brisbane Heat in match 28 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 6.05pm local time (7.05am GMT) on Wednesday, January 4.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played in Sydney at the North Sydney Oval.

Who's got the form?

Wednesday's clash is a repeat of the memorable encounter between the two sides on New Year's Day.

Heat ran out winners by 15 runs at The Gabba following an exhilarating clash that saw more than 400 runs scored, a douse of controversy and the match going down to the final over.

Sixers staged a late comeback in the form of Jordan Silk, but his dismissal via an extraordinary catch from Michael Neser ultimately decided the contest.

It was just the Heat's second group stage win and they start the game bottom of the pile with two wins from six games.

Sixers are fourth, with four wins from seven and will be looking to climb into the top two by the end of the day, should results go their way.

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^{Steve O'Keefe (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)}

What's the key match-up?

Steve O'Keefe's return is a handy addition to the Sixers attack and he will be key to keeping the runs down during the middle overs.

Only available for three matches thus far, his 10 overs have gone at an economy rate of five. He was thrown the new ball in the Boxing Day victory over Melbourne Stars, getting Thomas Rogers stumped off the second delivery of the match.

A similar tactic will likely see him up against Colin Munro, who has shown glimpses of his best form since swapping Perth Scorchers for Brisbane.

The Kiwi struck a majestic 98 against Sydney Thunder, though it wasn't good enough for victory. Sixers got the better of him in their January 1 meeting, as he mistimed a full delivery from Ben Dwarshuis having scored just 10.

What's the weather forecast?

The Bureau of Meteorology are predicting a 90 per cent chance of rain in Sydney, centring in on the afternoon and evening.

What is the team news?

Sixers have Chris Jordan and O'Keefe - absent with a low-level hamstring issue - back available in their 16-strong squad.

Spencer Johnson is among the 13-man Heat squad and will make his BBL debut if selected.

What are the squads?

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 (local replacement player), Naveen-ul-Haq (partial replacement for Chris Jordan)

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

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

What are the possible starting XIs?

Sydney Sixers: Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, James Vince, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, Chris Jordan, Jackson Bird, Steve O'Keefe

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

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Colin Munro (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

What are the odds?

Sixers start the match as favourites at 4/6 while Heat are 6/5 to make it back-to-back victories.

What's the prediction?

Sixers will be eager for revenge and they should get it against an otherwise out-of-form Heat.

Are tickets available?

No. Tickets are sold out.

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. This game is available on 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.