BBL 14 final to see Hobart Hurricanes face Sydney Thunder [Source: @BBL/X.com]
The stage is set for an epic final of the Big Bash League 2024-25 season. Hobart Hurricanes will take on Sydney Thunder on January 27 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart starting from 1.45 PM IST.
Hobart Hurricanes
The unstoppable Hobart Hurricanes qualified for the finals after winning the Qualifier contest against Sydney Sixers. Hurricanes, who also topped the standings after league stages, secured a 12-run win. With Mitchell Owen in scintillating form, smashing 344 runs at a strike rate of 191 this season, and Tim David consistently finishing games in style, the Hurricanes’ batting lineup looks solid.
Riley Meredith leads their bowling attack with 13 wickets, supported by the ever-reliable Nathan Ellis and Chris Jordan. Hence, the Hurricanes are in a strong position ahead of the epic final.
Sydney Thunder
Sydney Thunder, meanwhile, have fought hard in the knockouts to qualify for the finals. They had to beat Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers in knockout and challenger games respectively to seal the final berth. Captain David Warner has been their batting backbone with 357 runs this season, while Sam Billings and Jason Sangha have delivered under pressure.
Chris Green has been the standout in their bowling attack with an economy of just 7.05, complemented by Nathan McAndrew’s recent form. That being said, with the winning momentum by their side, Sydney Thunder seem poised to challenge Hurricanes head-on, leading to an epic clash.
HUR vs THU: Head to head in BBL
Matches Played | Hurricanes Won | Thunder Won | Abandoned |
---|---|---|---|
22 | 13 | 8 | 1 |
How will the Bellerive Oval pitch behave?
The pitch at Bellerive Oval is known to favour batters, with good pace and bounce making it easier to time shots. Spinners might come into play as the game progresses, but they are unlikely to be decisive. The shorter straight boundaries make it tempting for batters to go for big aerial shots down the ground.
If clouds appear, swing bowlers might get some help, but the current forecast rules out such scenarios. While four out of the six games were won by teams batting second in BBL 14, the pressure of a final might push captains to opt for batting first to set a target and let scoreboard pressure take over.
Players to watch out for in HUR vs THU Final
Hobart Hurricanes
Mitchell Owen: The opener is the third-highest scorer of the BBL 14 season with 344 runs in 10 games. His 191.11 strike rate suggests that Owen can leave a deep impact on the powerplay, which is crucial in the final.
Tim David: The all-rounder has been exceptional this season when it comes to power-hitting. He has hit 254 runs in 9 innings with a 177.62 strike rate. He can also chip in a few economical overs in the middle, which gives Hurricanes an edge.
Riley Meredith: The pacer has scalped 13 wickets in 9 games with a 22.85 average. Meredith is an experienced bowler who can bowl impactful overs in any situation.
Sydney Thunder
David Warner: Warner is the leading run-scorer of the BBL 14 season with 357 runs in 11 games, including a 44.62 average and 140.55 strike rate. His return to the league has been magnificent and Thunder will back his quick-hitting ability to set a stage.
Sam Billings: The power hitter has slammed 251 runs this year. Though he has not got big scorers, Billings has stepped up when his team needed it the most. His power-hitting will be crucial for Thunder to get a late push.
Chris Green: He has picked up 12 wickets in 11 games and has been Thunder’s primary pace bowler. His spells with the new ball will be crucial for Green to get breakthroughs at the right time.
Today's Match Prediction: HUR vs THU Final Match
Predicted Top Performers
Hobart Hurricanes: Mitchell Owen, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary
Sydney Thunder: Sam Billings, Chris Green, David Warner
HUR vs THU Final Match: Predicted Score
Predicted first innings score: 180-185
Predicted second innings score: 175-180