Big Bash League 2022-23 Eliminator: Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat Fantasy Tips and Teams


image-lde3dimrSydney Thunder (Source: Twitter)

After the completion of 56 matches in the group stage, the twelfth edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) has reached its business end as the Playoffs get underway from the eliminator clash between Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat on Friday, January 27, 2023, at Sydney Showground Stadium in Sydney.

The Thunder delivered a mixed performance in the group stage as they played 14 games and won seven and lost as many. They registered the unwanted record of the lowest T20 total of 15 in history against Adelaide Strikers in the tournament. Despite recording another lowest total of 62 in BBL 12, they have still managed to make the playoff spot. With 14 points and a net run rate of -0.716, they finished in the fourth position in the table.

On the other hand, the Heat sealed victories on six occasions with seven losses out of the 14 games played. With 13 points and an NRR of -0.483, they ended the league stage behind the Thunder in the fifth spot.

Notably, both sides have lifted the coveted trophy once each in the history of BBL. The Thunder won the title in the 2015/16 season while the Heat emerged victorious in the 2012/13 edition.

Before the big eliminator clash kicks off, let us look at the important stats, the best player picks and the best-predicted teams for the fantasy contests of the game.


Ground Stats: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney

In the four matches played at the venue this season, no side has crossed the 140-run mark batting first with 139 being the highest. Thrice chasing sides have won so winning the toss and fielding first should be the way forward for the skippers.


Numbers at the ground in BBL 12

Total Matches: 4

Matches won batting first: 1

Matches won batting second: 3

Average score batting first: 126

Average score batting second: 96

Average runs per over: 7.13

Average runs per wicket: 18.91


THU vs HEA, Eliminator: Probable Playing XIs

Sydney Thunder Team News

No major updates

Sydney Thunder Probable Playing XI

Matthew Gilkes (wk), David Warner, Jason Sangha, Oliver Davies, Alex Ross, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Chris Green (c), Nathan McAndrew, Gurinder Sandhu, Usman Qadir


Brisbane Heat Team News

No major updates

Brisbane Heat Probable Playing XI

Usman Khawaja (c), Josh Brown, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Sam Hain, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Michael Neser, James Bazley, Matthew Kuhnemann, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Swepson


THU vs HEA, Eliminator: Top Five Picks

  1. David Warner (THU): Southpaw David Warner is having a disastrous campaign so far. The veteran Aussie is averaging just 12.60 in five outings with 26 being his highest score. But as they say, cometh the hour cometh the man with the swashbuckling batter looking to play a significant role finally for his side in a crucial tie.
  2. Oliver Davies (THU): 22-year-old Oliver Davies is the man in form for the Thunder. He has scored three half-centuries and is the only player from their side to reach 300 runs in the competition. Davies will be looking to carry his form in the do-or-die eliminator clash.
  3. Nathan McAndrew (THU): Right-arm medium-fast bowler Nathan McAndrew is an average of 19.92 and is the second-highest wicket-taker for the Thunder in this edition. He could deliver a match-winning spell for his side in the eliminator.
  4. Jimmy Peirson (HEA): Like Davies, Jimmy Peirson is also the only player from his Brisbane Heat side to touch the 300-run mark. He could well continue to perform for the Heat in this crunch encounter.
  5. Michael Neser (HEA): Right-arm medium-fast bowler Michael Neser is having a terrific time as he is the third-highest wicket-taker in BBL 2012. With three four-wicket hauls in the season, picking up Neser should be an ideal choice for the eliminator.


 THU vs HEA, Eliminator: Must picks for the match

Sydney Thunder

1.David Warner - 63 runs in 5 matches

2.Oliver Davies - 333 runs in 14 matches


Brisbane Heat

1.Jimmy Peirson - 323 runs in 14 matches

2.Usman Khawaja - 96 runs in 6 matches

3.Michael Neser - 22 wickets in 13 matches


THU vs HEA, Eliminator: Risky picks

Sydney Thunder: Jason Sangha, Alex Ross

Brisbane Heat: Josh Brown, Matt Renshaw


THU vs HEA, Eliminator: Best Captain and Vice-captain choices

1.David Warner (THU)

2.Oliver Davies (THU)

3.Usman Khawaja (HEA)



 THU vs HEA, Eliminator: Team for Head-to-Head Contests

Wicketkeeper: Matthew Gilkes, Jimmy Peirson

Batters: David Warner, Oliver Davies, Usman Khawaja

All-rounders: Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Michael Neser

Bowlers: Nathan McAndrew, Gurinder Sandhu, Mitchell Swepson

Captain: David Warner
Vice-captain: Oliver Davies

THU: 7 Players, HEA: 4 Players


THU VS HEA, Eliminator: Team for Winner takes all Contests

Wicketkeeper: Matthew Gilkes, Jimmy Peirson

Batters: Alex Ross, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Hain

All-rounders: Jason Sangha, Ben Cutting, Matt Renshaw

Bowlers: Chris Green, Usman Qadir, Spencer Johnson

Captain: Matthew Gilkes
Vice-captain: Ben Cutting

THU: 6 Players, HEA: 5 Players


Also Read: BBL Eliminator, Thunder vs Heat: Preview, Prediction and Fantasy Tips