As the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 season heads into the final round of league phase, the teams will have their last opportunity to cement their place in the top-five.
With just four games to play in the regular season, only Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers have guaranteed a spot in the finals.
The eighth week of BBL 10 features some mouth-watering clashes, and here are the numbers that will help you ace it:
Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder
The winner of Monday’s Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder clash will cement their place in the top-five. In their last five completed BBL matches this season, the Adelaide Strikers have won three matches while the Callum Ferguson-led Sydney Thunder have managed just two wins in the same number of matches.
In the Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Thunder head-to-head stats, Strikers have won seven out of 13 encounters while they have ended up on the wrong side on six occasions. Meanwhile, two matches had no results.
| Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder head-to-head | ||
| Adelaide Strikers | Metrics | Sydney Thunder |
| 15 | Matches | 15 |
| 7 | Wins | 6 |
| 2 | Ties/NR | 2 |
| 46.67 | Win Percentage | 40.00 |
Speaking of the venue, the last five games at the Adelaide Oval has seen an average of 29.8 boundaries and 11.4 sixes. On the other hand, batting first, the Strikers have an average score of 171 runs in their last five BBL matches, while Thunder have posted an average of 183 runs in the same number of matches. Interestingly, in their last outing, the Travis Head-led Strikers had defeated Thunder by six runs in a nail-biter.
Adelaide Strikers will start as favourites against the Sydney Thunder due to their recent form in the competition.
Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers
Table-toppers Perth Scorchers have already locked their spot in the finals and they will look to continue their winning momentum against Brisbane Heat in their final league game on Tuesday.
Captained by Ashton Turner, Scorchers have won four out of their last five matches in the league. On the other hand, Brisbane Heat need to beat Scorchers and then depend on other results to go their way if they are to make it to the top-five. Chris Lynn-led Heat have won just two of their last five completed BBL matches.
The Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head stats favour the latter who have won eight of the 14 encounters. Meanwhile, Heat have managed six victories. In their last meeting, Scorchers defeated Heat by 59 runs.
| Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers head-to-head | ||
| Brisbane Heat | Metrics | Perth Scorchers |
| 14 | Matches | 14 |
| 6 | Wins | 8 |
| - | Ties/NR | - |
| 42.86 | Win Percentage | 57.14 |
If Scorchers are to bat first, expect them to score more than 170 runs, as they have averaged 177 in their last five BBL matches.
Riding on their winning momentum, Perth Scorchers will definitely start as the odd-on favourites against Brisbane Heat.
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers
Glenn Maxwell-led Melbourne Stars still have a chance to make it to the top-five provided Team Green defeat the defending champions Sydney Sixers on Tuesday but they will also need some help from other teams. Interestingly, Stars have won 3 of their last five matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
In the Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head record, the latter has an edge with 8 wins to their name in 15 encounters while the Stars have won on six occasions. One match ended with no result. In their last meeting, Daniel Hughes-led Sixers had beaten the Stars by just one wicket in a BBL thriller.
| Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers head-to-head | ||
| Melbourne Stars | Metrics | Sydney Sixers |
| 15 | Matches | 15 |
| 6 | Wins | 8 |
| 1 | Ties/NR | 1 |
| 40.00 | Win Percentage | 53.33 |
Batting first, the Stars have an average score of 172 runs in their last five BBL matches, while the Sixers have posted an average of 166 runs in the same number of matches.
Considering the record at the MCG, Melbourne Stars are tipped to upset the defending champions.
Feature image courtesy: 2021 Cricket Australia.
