Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat: Sydney Sixers Dominate the Head to Head Record Against Brisbane Heat

• Sydney Sixers dominate the head-to-head record against Brisbane Heat with 13 wins to 4.

• Sydney Sixers have defeated Brisbane Heat in four out of six matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

• Sydney Sixers have a better side on paper, especially with Brisbane Heat losing several of their key players. 

Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat Odds

Odds taken from bet365.

Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat Prediction and Pick

These two teams have competed against each other 18 times in the BBL, where Sydney Sixers have claimed 13 matches while Brisbane Heat have only won four. Apart from having a dominant record, they also have a significantly stronger side on paper compared to Brisbane Heat. We predict Sydney Sixers to win this clash on Thursday. 

Predicted XI 

Sydney Sixers: Josh Philippe (wk), Daniel Hughes, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Hayden Kerr, Daniel Christian, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Steve O'Keefe, Izharulhaq Naveed

Brisbane Heat: Josh Brown, Max Bryant, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Hain, Jimmy Peirson (c/wk), Ross Whiteley, Michael Neser, James Bazley, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann

Sydney Sixers Favourites Against Depleted Brisbane Heat to Book a Spot in the Final

Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat will be battling it out in the Challenger of the Big Bash League 2022-23. The winner of this match will advance to the final against Perth Scorchers. The two teams will meet at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday, February 2nd. 

Sydney Sixers finished second on the table, which allowed them another shot at reaching the final after losing Qualifier against Perth Scorchers. In what was a repeat of last season's Qualifier, they were defeated by seven wickets. 

Batting first, the men in magenta struggled to get going with three wickets down for 42 in 8.1 overs. Moises Henriques then scored 58 off 43 and added an 88-run stand with Jordan Silk (47* off 34) but collapsed at the back end. Defending 152, Sean Abbott reduced the opponents to 22/3 in four overs but then they had no answers to Ashton Turner and Cameron Bancroft. 

Brisbane Heat just about managed to sneak into the playoffs. They won the Eliminator against Sydney Thunder by eight runs on the DLS method after rain interrupted 6.5 overs into the second innings. Brisbane then defeated Melbourne Renegades by seven wickets in the Knockout. 

Xavier Bartlett starred with 3 for 18 in four overs while Michael Neser picked 2 for 32. Chasing 163, Usman Khawaja and Josh Brown (39 off 27) got them off to a 75-run start inside nine overs. Khawaja made 59 off 47 before Matt Renshaw got them over the line with an unbeaten 27 off 13.  

Team News

Sydney Sixers will be without Steve Smith in this fixture as he joins the Test squad. Daniel Hughes will open the innings alongside Josh Philippe. Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk hold the key in the middle order. Sean Abbott is in great form and leads the bowling attack. All-rounder Hayden Kerr hasn't been at his best and needs to step up. Steve O'Keefe and Izharulhaq Naveed will play an important role at the spin-friendly SCG. 

Brisbane Heat will be heavily depleted, losing Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Matt Renshaw, three of whom are part of the Test squad heading to India. Max Bryant, Nathan McSweeney, and Ross Whiteley are likely to replace the trio. Josh Brown, Sam Hain, and Jimmy Peirson will be key in the batting unit. Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, and James Bazley form the pace unit with Matthew Kuhnemann as the sole spinner. 

Key Players 

Sean Abbott is the all-time leading wicket-taker in the Big Bash. The right-arm seamer has taken 153 wickets in the BBL at an average of 19.62 and striking every 14 balls. He is leading the bowling charts in the ongoing season as well with 28 wickets from 14 games at an economy of 7.77. Abbott was excellent in the previous game and remains a key figure.  

Sam Hain will be key for Brisbane Heat in the absence of experienced players. He scored 73 not-out in 41 versus Melbourne Stars earlier this season. The English batter has a terrific record in the shorter format, with over 2900 runs at an average of 37.5 while striking at 131. Hain has smashed 20 fifties and a hundred in the format. 

How to Watch Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat

What: Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat, Challenger, BBL 2022-23

Where: Sydney Cricket Ground 

When: February 2, 2023 / 3:40 AM EST 

How to watch: Sony Sports Network/Sony LIV (India), SportsMax (Caribbean), Fox Sports & Channel 7 (Australia), Sky Sport NZ (New Zealand), SuperSport (South Africa), Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports Cricket (United Kingdom)