A spot in the BBL13 final against the Sydney Sixers is on the line when the Brisbane Heat host the red hot Adelaide Strikers in the Challenger final at Heritage Bank Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The Heat were the first team to book their spot in the final four after an unbeaten run of nine matches during the group stage, however, they’ve lost their last two games including their most recent against the Sixers in the Qualifier last Friday night.
The Strikers meanwhile, have been the form team of the competition over the past fortnight, winning their last four games during the group stage to finish fourth despite being at the bottom of the table earlier this month.
MATCH CENTRE: Heat vs Strikers, scores, stats, video
That fourth placed finish set up a date with the defending champion Perth Scorchers, who the Strikers thrashed by 50 runs.
Simply put, Adelaide have hit dazzling form at just the right time with captain Matt Short having an outstanding tournament once again while spinner Lloyd Pope has collected eight wickets from his past two outings.
Pope’s four wickets in each of the last two wins has earned him player of the match honours on both occasions.
SQUADS
Heat: Nathan McSweeney (c), Xavier Bartlett, Josh Brown, Max Bryant, Jordan Buckingham, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Swepson, Paul Walter (England), Charlie Wakim, Jack Wildermuth
Strikers: Matthew Short (c), Wes Agar, James Bazley, Cameron Boyce, Josh Kann, Thomas Kelly, Ben Manenti, Harry Nielsen (wk), David Payne (England), Lloyd Pope, D’Arcy Short, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald
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