Preview
Underdogs Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat meet in the seventh match of the Big Bash League, the second for each team in the competition. The common factor for both teams is that they have lost their first games to Melbourne Stars. Thunder and Heat appear below their best this season in terms of squad composition.
However, judging a book by its cover isn’t ideal and we could still see these unheralded sides put up a fight this season in the Big Bash League. Both teams will want an early head start to stay ahead in the race and this game could be an ideal opportunity for the sides to notch up an early win.
Team news
Except Sam Billings, Sydney Thunder are basically full strength and they showed a decent fight in the game against Stars. Callum Ferguson’s form, Alex Hales’ blistering knock and Tanveer Sangha’s bowling were all positives for the Thunder from the first game. They are likely going in with the same team for the second team.
Xavier Bartlett impressed for the Brisbane Heat with his new ball spell while Max Bryant, Chris Lynn, Jimmy Pierson and Tom Cooper got starts without quite carrying on. The Heat have plenty of injury and availability concerns and will once again be fielding a depleted squad.
Overall squads
Sydney Thunder: Sam Billings, Jonathan Cook, Ben Cutting, Oliver Davies, Brendan Doggett, Callum Ferguson, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Adam Milne, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain
Brisbane Heat: Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Tom Cooper, Lewis Gregory, Sam Heazlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Laughlin, Dan Lawrence, Chris Lynn, Simon Milenko, Morne Morkel, Jimmy Peirson, Lachlan Pfeffer, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mark Steketee, Connor Sully, Mitch Swepson, Jack Wildermuth, Matthew Willans, Jack Wood
Probable XI
Brisbane Heat: Chris Lynn (c), Max Bryant, Sam Heazlett, Daniel Lawrence, Tom Cooper, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Simon Milenko, Jack Wood, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Laughlin, Matthew Kuhnemann
Sydney Thunder: Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (c), Baxter Holt (wk), Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Jonathan Cook, Tanveer Sangha
Key players
Alex Hales: Alex Hales is on the verge of becoming the second overseas player after Kevin Pietersen to get to 1000 runs in the Big Bash League. The England opener is an outstanding T20 player and appeared to be in good touch in the previous outing against Melbourne Stars. Hales’ form will be key to how the Thunder perform against Brisbane Heat.
Chris Lynn: With the Heat appearing below their best form, Chris Lynn will have to massively step up. The highest run-scorer in BBL history, Lynn will be tasked with accelerating the innings and giving it some major impetus. Surprisingly, he played in the middle-order last game. With his weakness against spin, Lynn might want to move back up the order to drive the Brisbane Heat innings.