Sixers v Heat BBL tips, odds & value bets – The Challenger

The BBL 12 season is nearing its end with The Challenger between the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat at the SCG to settle who will take on the Perth Scorchers in The Decider on Saturday.

The last time these two sides met, there was no result, and the match prior was won by the Heat after a batting masterclass from Josh Brown and Nathan McSweeney. Will history repeat itself?

The Heat have had their squad decimated by the loss of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Swepson to the Australian Test tour of India, while the Sixers have lost Steve Smith. Daniel Hughes is set to replace Smith, while McSweeney, Sam Heazlett, Ross Whitely and Jack Wildermuth are among the names recalled to the Heat squad.

While the Heat have been in incredible form to get themselves from near the bottom of the BBL 12 ladder to The Challenger, and players other than Khawaja, Labuschagne and Renshaw have contributed well to their wins, beating the Sixers in Sydney looks a bridge too far for this squad. The Sixers are yet to be beaten at home this season, have a wealth of finals experience in their XI, and are a great value play to beat the Heat at $1.53 with BetOnline.

Josh Philippe’s form has been poor of late, which was reflected in his ugly dismissal against the Scorchers last week in Perth. With Smith departing the side and the opening batting combination, Philippe will be expected to shoulder more of the scoring responsibility for the Sixers, as he did at the beginning of the season. In that role, Philippe was one of the most prolific runscorers in the BBL. Look for Philippe to return to his best form and be the Sixers’ leading runscorer in the match ($4.50).

An inexperienced Heat batting lineup that has played little BBL cricket this season presents plenty of opportunities for wickets for the Sixers. Ben Dwarshuis has shown glimpses of his brilliance at the SCG this season, taking wickets for the Sixers early in the innings with great economy. Dwarshuis should be able to get the new ball swinging, which will expose deficiencies in various Heat batters’ techniques. Dwarshuis to take three or more wickets for the Sixers is a solid play ($4.25).

Key matchup: Josh Philippe v Jimmy Peirson

Jimmy Peirson will likely captain this Heat side again in what looks an unwinnable match. In Brisbane are to pull off the upset, he will need to replicate the calmness and clear plans that Khawaja had in his time captaining this season. Personally, Peirson may also need to put his hand up with the bat at some point — especially if Philippe returns to his best for the Sixers.

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