It's getting to the business end of the Big Bash season with six clubs still vying for three remaining spots in the Finals – and the potential is there for Sunday night's Manuka Oval clash between the seventh-placed Sydney Thunder and sixth-placed Adelaide Strikers to be season-defining for either side.
Runaway leaders the Brisbane Heat are the first side to lock away their spot in the KFC BBL|13 finals courtesy of a thrilling final-ball victory over the Hobart Hurricanes last night.
Six teams remain in the hunt for the remaining three spots in the top four, but they're all chasing the undefeated Heat with just nine days to go in the regular season.
The bottom-placed Melbourne Renegades are the only team eliminated with 11 home-and-away games left for the season, but the Hurricanes, Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder must realistically win their remaining games to be any chance of qualifying for the finals.
The Strikers inflicted reigning champions Perth Scorchers first defeat of the season with a thumping nine-wicket victory on Friday to keep their slim finals hopes alive, but they'll need to keep the momentum going when they face the Hurricanes tomorrow night.
Tickets for the Thunder v Strikers match at Manuka Oval available via Tickektek.
Check out our team-by-team guide below to see what your club needs to do to play finals.
🔒 1. Brisbane Heat (14 points)
P: 8 | W: 6 | L: 0 | N/R: 2 | NRR: 1.435
Still to play: Scorchers (January 10), Scorchers (January 13)
The Heat cemented their place in the finals with a thrilling one-run win over the Hurricanes that sent 27,124 fans into a frenzy at the Gabba on Sunday night as 'Tall Paul' Walter defended 12 in clutch final over performance. Still undefeated this season, one win from their two remaining regular season games will be enough to secure the Heat a home Qualifier final on the Gold Coast with the Gabba out of action due to Australia's second Test against the West Indies. Their biggest test of the season will come in those final two games when they face reigning champions the Scorchers at the Gabba and then Optus Stadium – where they went down in a thrilling BBL|12 decider – and whoever comes out on top across those two games could well secure hosting rights for the Qualifier six days later.
2. Sydney Sixers (10 points)
P: 8 | W: 4 | L: 2 | N/R: 2 | NRR: 0.253
Still to play: Thunder (January 12), Scorchers (January 16)
With both sides level on eight points going into the match, the Sixers grabbed a crucial two points against the Stars at the MCG on Saturday night to lift themselves back to second place. After a frustrating run of three matches that included two washouts and a narrow DLS loss to the Heat, the Sixers have got their momentum back and will welcome back superstar Steve Smith for a chance to seal a spot in the finals with victory over the Thunder in the Sydney Smash on Friday night.
3. Perth Scorchers (9 points)
P: 6 | W: 4 | L: 1 | N/R: 1 | NRR: 1.153
Still to play: Thunder (tonight), Heat (January 10), Heat (January 13), Sixers (January 16)
A formidable list made up of almost exclusively WA talent, the Scorchers are gunning to become the first club to score a BBL three-peat. Had their first slip up of the season in Adelaide when they were suffocated by the Strikers two leg-spinners – the first of a three-game away trip to the eastern seaboard. Apart from that, they've looked near-on unbeatable at home where they're scoring at 9.78 runs per over this season. Will face two tough matches to close the season when they host the Heat and Sixers at Optus Stadium in what is likely to determine the final positions of the top four.
4. Melbourne Stars (8 points)
P: 8 | W: 4 | L: 4 | N/R: 0 | NRR: -1.122
Still to play: Renegades (January 13), Hurricanes (January 15)
The Sixers snapped their four-game winning streak at the MCG on Saturday night, but the Stars destiny is still in their own hands. With Glenn Maxwell running hot with bat and ball and Aussie quick Scott Boland returning for a couple of matches, including a possible appearance in next Saturday's Melbourne derby against the Renegades, hopes are high the Stars can return to finals for the first time in four seasons. One win in their remaining two games would make it likely, two wins would make it a certainty with their final match of the regular season against the Hurricanes looming as a sudden death fixture for both teams.
5. Hobart Hurricanes (6 points)
P: 7 | W: 3 | L: 4 | N/R: 0 | NRR: -0.066
Still to play: Strikers (tomorrow), Strikers (January 11), Stars (January 15)
Their finals chances took a hit with a tough final-ball loss to the Heat at the Gabba on Sunday night. But with three games to play, which includes back-to-back fixtures against the Strikers, their finals destiny is still in their own control. That's because they face the fourth-placed Stars in their last match of the regular season at the MCG on January 15 in what is shaping as a do-or-die clash for both sides. But first they'll need to secure consecutive wins against the Strikers in Adelaide and then at home to ensure they give themselves that opportunity.
6. Adelaide Strikers (5 points)
P: 7 | W: 2 | L: 4 | N/R: 1 | NRR: -0.231
Still to play: Hurricanes (tomorrow), Hurricanes (January 11), Thunder (January 14)
It's win or basically season over for Matt Short's Strikers who sit three points out of the top four with only three games remaining. A loss against Hurricanes on Tuesday would be curtains for their season as it would leave them praying for a washout when the Stars and Hobart face off in their final match of the season to be any hope of making it, provided they win their last two games. Kept their slim finals hopes alive with a dominant nine-wicket win over the previously undefeated Perth Scorchers in their last match at Adelaide Oval, but such a performance could have come too late after they found themselves 1-4 from their first six matches.
7. Sydney Thunder (3 points)
P: 6 | W: 1 | L: 4 | N/R: 1 | NRR: -0.42
Still to play: Scorchers (tonight), Sixers (January 12), Strikers (January 14), Renegades (January 17)
Fortunately for the Thunder, they have the most games in hand of all teams and with just one win so far this season, they'll need all four of those games to stay relevant in BBL|13. While a loss to the Scorchers tomorrow wouldn't mathematically rule them out, it'll mean they need to win their final three games and, like the Strikers, be relying on Stars to lose their remaining two games to be any chance. While Daniel Sams is top of the tournament's wickets tally, and Cameron Bancroft is among the top five run-scorers, the Thunder have showed glimpses in BBL|13 but aside from their win over the Stars in Albury, they've struggled to put a complete game together.
❌ 8. Melbourne Renegades (3 points)
P: 8 | W: 1 | L: 6 | N/R: 1 | NRR: -0.52
Still to play: Stars (January 13), Thunder (January 17)
The Renegades have just pride to play for in their final two games of the regular season after a six-wicket loss to the Hurricanes eliminated them from finals contention. It's been a case of one step forward and two steps back for the 'Gades in 2023-24 after the positives of last summer where they returned to finals for the first time since their BBL|08 championship, with BBL|13 a season to forget for their ageing list. Will be hoping to give retiring Australia and club great Aaron Finch the perfect send off in the second Melbourne derby of the season at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Article originally published on cricket.com.au
KFC BBL|13 standings
| Team | M | W | L | T | N/R | NRR | Ded. | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.435 | 0 | 14 |
2 |
8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.253 | 0 | 10 |
3 |
6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.153 | 0 | 9 |
4 |
8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -1.122 | 0 | 8 |
5 |
7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -0.066 | 0 | 6 |
6 |
7 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | -0.231 | 0 | 5 |
7 |
6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | -0.42 | 0 | 3 |
8 |
8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | -0.52 | 0 | 3 |
M:Matches played
W:Wins
L:Losses
T:Ties
N/R:No results
NRR:Net Run Rate
Ded.:Deductions
PTS:Total points