WBBL08 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 Weber WBBL

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What's the match?

Sydney Sixers host Brisbane Heat in match 50 of the WBBL; the eighth edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 7.10pm local time (8.10am GMT) on Wednesday, November 16.

Where is the match being played?

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

Who's got the form?

The top two meet, with a win for either guaranteeing their place in the knockout phase, though it's unlikely at this stage that either Sixers or Heat will drop out of the top four.

Both are on a roll - Sydney have lost just twice this season since adding the world's top-ranked spinner to a squad that already featured Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy - but Brisbane are peaking at the right time, having won their last three games and four of their last five.

Their two-run victory over Adelaide Strikers was more complicated than it sounds - Strikers actually scored more runs than Heat on the night but their total had been slightly adjusted by DLS - but they are a team finding ways to win at the business end of a tournament where points are ultimately all that matter.

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Alyssa Healy has found her best form [Getty Images]

What's the key match-up?

Alyssa Healy has found form for Sydney just at the right time. Sixers' win over Perth Scorchers last time out was one of the most clinical run-chases you could wish to see, beginning slowly as she and Perry tested the water before launching into a 10-over assault that ended with Healy unbeaten on 107, carving the final ball of the match over the off-side to claim two points for her side.

Heat have shown their ability to bowl teams out, though, particularly since Jess Kerr was brought back to replace Pooja Vastrakar. Until their thriller against Adelaide, Brisbane's games had been full of runs: no team has scored or conceded more in this year's tournament.

What's the weather forecast?

Afternoon rain in Sydney is expected to give way to a drier evening.

What is the team news?

Jess Kerr has returned to Heat as a replacement for Pooja Vastrakar, who has joined up with her international teammates. Georgia Redmayne is injured.

For Sixers, Maitlan Brown is out of their last three regular-season fixtures with a back issue.

This is a repeat of the season opener, when it was Brown who was the hero, smashing her first ball for six to give Sydney victory with one delivery remaining.

What are the squads?

Sydney Sixers: Ellyse Perry (c), Jade Allen, Suzie Bates, Nicole Bolton, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Sophie Ecclestone, Ash Gardner, Ange Genford, Alyssa Healy, Kate Peterson

Brisbane Heat: Jess Jonassen, Zoe Cooke (injured, replaced by Lucy Hamilton), Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Amelia Kerr, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll, Pooja Vastrakar (unavailable), Danni Wyatt, Jess Kerr

What are the possible starting XIs?

Sydney Sixers: Alyssa Healy, Suzie Bates, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Erin Burns, Nicole Bolton, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Peterson, Ange Genford, Lauren Cheatle, Jade Allen

Brisbane Heat: Danni Wyatt, Georgia Voll, Grace Harris, Amelia Kerr, Charli Knott, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen, Ellie Johnston, Nicola Hancock, Courtney Sippel, Jess Kerr

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Brisbane Heat head coach Ashley Noffke has been linked with the England job [Getty Images]

What are the odds?

Sixers are clear favourites for victory at 7/12; Heat are available at 4/6.

What's the prediction?

Sydney have only lost twice and, with Healy coming into her best form, they will be hard to stop.

Are tickets available?

Standard tickets are available for $10 via Ticketek.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports holds the UK rights for the WBBL. This game will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. Coverage of the competition resumes on November 18.

In Australia, fans will be able to watch all 59 matches in the WBBL live and free on either the Seven Network or cricket.com.au

A total of 24 games will be televised on free-to-air on Seven and simulcast on Foxtel and Kayo, while the remaining 35 games will be shown on Foxtel and Kayo Sports and also live-streamed for free on cricket.com.au.


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