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

At one stage of the ongoing Big Bash League, Sydney Thunder had won six out of seven games and were set to finish among the top two teams after the league stage. However, a series of losses meant that they finished third and would have to win three games in a row to win the championship.

They will next be facing the Brisbane Heat in the Knockout on Sunday, January 31. The match will be played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. The Thunder would be going into the game after a victory against the Adelaide Strikers.

The Heat would also be high on confidence after beating the Strikers by six wickets on Friday. In the league stage, both teams won a game apiece as far as the head-to-head records are concerned. The game is expected to be an absolute cracker.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the Manuka Oval in Canberra has been an absolute belter for batting. Bowlers won’t be having much room for error and even small errors can turn out to be costly.

Batting second should be the way forward as the track isn’t expected to change in nature by any means. The cloud will be there, but with no chances of rain. The temperature will mostly be around the 19 degrees Celsius mark.

Average first-innings score

170 (9 completed T20 match in BBL 2020-21)

Record of the chasing teams

Won – 6; Lost – 3

Playing Combinations for THU vs HEA

Sydney Thunder

Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson (C), Sam Billings, Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Adam Milne, Brendan Doggett, Tanveer Sangha

Bench– Olivier Davies, Jonathan Cook, Matthew Gilkes, Baxter Holt, Arjun Nair, Jason Sangha, Chris Tremain

Brisbane Heat

Chris Lynn (C), Joe Denly, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Haezlett, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Joe Burns, Lewis Gregory, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Laughlin, Morne Morkel, Xavier Bartlett

Bench– Max Bryant, Jack Wildermuth, Tom Cooper, Matthew Kuhnemann, James Bazley, Lachlan Pfeffer

Probable Top Performers for THU vs HEA

Alex Hales– Sydney Thunder

Alex Hales has been a fulcrum for the Thunder in the tournament thus far. If he finds the middle of the bat, fielders won’t be having much of a chance to recover.

In 14 matches, the right-handed batsman has notched 535 runs at an average and strike-rate of 41.15 and 153.60 respectively. The fact that he already has a top score of 110 shows the devastating form he has been in the league.

Chris Lynn– Brisbane Heat

Chris Lynn has been in top-notch form in the ongoing edition of the BBL. Earlier in the league, he missed a few games due to injury concerns, but he didn’t allow the break to unnerve him. Rather he came and is currently the leading run-scorer for the Heat.

In 11 matches, Lynn has notched 426 runs at an average and strike-rate of 38.72 and 157.19 respectively. He will be looking to play another captain’s knock.

Broadcast Details

Match timings – 07:15 PM local time, 01:45 PM IST

TV – Sony Ten Network

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

The prediction is for Sydney Thunder 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.