Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat Big Bash Tips: Back 10/1 Thunder bat bet and Heat for second win

• Heat may be underrated

• Gilkes too big at 10/111.00

• Manuka pitch may be tricky

Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat
Tuesday 12 December, 08.15
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat team news

Thunder have lost Jason Sangha to another injury on the eve of their opener. Sangha missed the entire campaign last term. Cameron Bancroft may bat at No 3 in his absence. Alex Hales and Zaman Khan are named in the squad.

Possible XI: Gilkes, Hales, Bancroft, Davies, Ross, Sams, Green, McAndrew, Sandhu, Hatcher/Zaman, T Sangha

Heat are grateful the Prime Minister's XI tour match versus Pakistan is done. Captain Nathan McSweeney, century-maker Matthew Renshaw and wicket-keeper Jimmy Peirson return from that game.

Possible XI: Renshaw, Munro, McSweeney, Billings, Peirson, Walter, Neser, Bartlett, Swepson, Johnson, Kuhnemann

Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat pitch report

The Manuka surface was rain-damaged after winds blew off the covers forcing an early end to the Pakistan tour match. That doesn't do much to change our mind that the pitch can be tricky for batters with eight of the last 17 first-innings producing scores of under 160.

No rain is forecast. Laying a poor Thunder batting line-up for 160 or more is a strong option.

Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat match odds

Heat gave Stars a good thumping in their opener but they were denied the chance to build on it with rain washing out the contest against Strikers. With key players back, Heat look to be underrated here at 1.9310/11.

Thunder had significant batting problems last term and they can ill-afford to be without one of their better hitters in Sangha. It could be a struggle for them and man for man they come up short with the willow.

Heat should be clear favourites after a strong run to the final last term.

Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat player bets

Hales has been boosted to 11/43.75 for top Thunder bat. It's a price we'll probably take at some stage but we'll wait to see how he shapes up. Colin Munro has been boosted to the same.

The value on the player markets is Matt Gilkes at 10/111.00 for top Thunder bat.

Gilkes opened in every single game in the 2022 tournament, including against Heat when he made 56 against an attack which comprised four bowlers he's likely to face.

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