HEA vs STR Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match? BBL 2020-21, Eliminator

Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers had pretty similar campaigns in the league stage of the 2020-21 Big Bash League. Both churned out seven wins from 14 games, but Chris Lynn’s Heat ended higher on the points table courtesy an extra Bash Boost point.

The Strikers, however, were level with Glenn Maxwell’s Melbourne Stars on most aspects, but a superior net run rate of 0.105 helped them through to the second round. The two teams are now set to clash in the Eliminator on Friday, January 29 at The Gabba in Brisbane.

In the first round, the Strikers got past them tantalisingly in Brisbane but thrashed them at the Adelaide Oval. The Heat will be going into the game on the backs of back-to-back wins. The Strikers, on the contrary, lost to Callum Ferguson’s Sydney Thunder by nine wickets at the Adelaide Oval.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at The Gabba has been fairly decent for batting in the tournament. But the venue hasn’t hosted a single match since the first week of January. But going by past records, teams may opt to field first, getting clarity of their road ahead.

There are chances of rain and hence, delays are possible. The temperature will be around the 12 degrees Celsius-mark with the humidity in the low-20s.

Average first-innings score

157 (4 completed T20 match in BBL 2020-21)

Record of the chasing teams

Won – 3; Lost – 2

Playing Combinations for HEA vs STR

Brisbane Heat

Chris Lynn (C), Max Bryant, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Denly, Joe Burns, Lewis Gregory, Jimmy Pierson (WK), Jack Wildermuth, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Laughlin

Bench– James Bazley, Tom Cooper, Sam Haezlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Morne Morkel, Lachlan Pfeffer, Xavier Bartlett

Adelaide Strikers

Alex Carey (WK), Jake Weatherald, Phillip Salt, Travis Head (C), Jonathan Wells, Ryan Gibson, Michael Neser, Daniel Worrall, Wes Agar, Liam O’Connor, Peter Siddle

Bench– Matt Renshaw, Danny Briggs, Harry Conway, Harry Nielsen, Spencer Johnson, Liam Scott, Matthew Short, Cameron Valente

Probable Top Performers for HEA vs STR

Chris Lynn– Brisbane Heat

Chris Lynn has been a fulcrum for the Heat in the tournament. In 10 matches, the veteran has notched 420 runs at an average and strike-rate of 42 and 157.30 respectively.

Moreover, the fact that he has scored five half-centuries from those games shows the rhythm he has been in. In the crunch game on their home ground, the Heat would be hoping for their gun batsman to fire.

Alex Carey– Adelaide Strikers

Alex Carey recently got rewarded after being included in Australia’s squad for the Test series against South Africa. The left-hander will be looking to carry forward the piece of confidence to the Eliminator.

In the ongoing BBL edition, the southpaw has gotten 412 runs at an average and strike-rate of 34.33 and 126.38 respectively. He will be wanting to play a match-winning knock on Friday.

Broadcast Details

Match timings – 06:15 PM local time, 01:45 PM IST

TV – Sony Ten Network

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

The prediction is for Adelaide Strikers to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.