BBL14 predicted ladder: Which teams will finish in finals spots?

The Hurricanes, Sixers and Thunder will play BBL14 finals. The last spot is between five teams with four games remaining. We examine every scenario and the likely outcome.

The Hurricanes, Sixers and Thunder are in.

The Stars, Heat, Strikers, Scorchers and Renegades are vying for one spot.

The tightest BBL finals race in history is set to go down to the final day of the regular season, when the Stars host the Hurricanes.

The Stars have recovered from 0-5 to sit fourth with one match remaining against first-placed Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday.

The Sydney Smash will likely decide who takes on Hobart in the Qualifier, while Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers’ clash shapes as a virtual elimination final.

Here are the key scenarios for every team heading into the final round of matches.

The Hurricanes will host the Qualifier if they defeat Melbourne Stars.

HURRICANES – PLAYED 9, WON 7, LOST 1, 1 NO RESULT (15) NRR: +0.135

WIN vs STARS: Host the Qualifier against the winner of Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.

LOSS vs STARS: Host the Qualifier if Sydney Thunder defeat Sydney Sixers. Face Sydney Sixers in at the SCG in the Qualifier if the Sixers win.

SIXERS – PLAYED 9, WON 6, LOST 2, 1 NO RESULT (13 pts) NRR: +0.156

WIN vs THUNDER: Host the Qualifier if Hobart loses to Melbourne Stars. If the Hurricanes win, face Hobart in a Qualifier at Ninja Stadium.

LOSS vs THUNDER: Finish third and likely host Melbourne Stars or Brisbane Heat in the Eliminator.

THUNDER – PLAYED 9, WON 3, LOST 3, 1 NO RESULT (11) NRR: +0.340

WIN vs SIXERS: Finish second and face Hobart Hurricanes in the Qualifier in Tasmania.

LOSS vs SIXERS: Finish third and host the Eliminator.

The Stars have staged a remarkable turnaround after losing their opening five games.

STARS – PLAYED 9, WON 4, LOST 5 (8) NRR: -0.073

WIN vs HURRICANES: Secure fourth spot and face the loser of Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder in the Eliminator.

LOSS VS HURRICANES: Miss finals. Will be overtaken on net run rate by Perth Scorchers or Adelaide Strikers and will finish one point below Brisbane Heat if they defeat Melbourne Renegades.

HEAT – PLAYED 8, WON 3, LOST 4, NO RESULT 1 (7) NRR: -0.863

WIN vs RENEGADES: Finish fourth and face the Sixers or Thunder in the Eliminator.

LOSS vs RENEGADES: Their title defence is over.

STRIKERS – PLAYED 8, WON 3, LOST 6 (6) NRR: +0.067

WIN vs SCORCHERS: Finish fourth on net run rate if Melbourne Renegades defeat Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes defeat Melbourne Stars.

LOSS vs SCORCHERS: Season over.

The Scorchers can still play finals if results fall in their favour.

SCORCHERS – PLAYED 9, WON 3, LOST 6 (6) NRR: +0.057

WIN vs STRIKERS: And play finals if Hobart defeats the Stars and the Renegades defeat Brisbane Heat. The Scorchers and Renegades would finish on eight points but Perth would have a superior net run rate. If Brisbane wins, the Scorchers would still finish outside the top four.

LOSS vs STRIKERS: Miss finals for the first time since BBL09.

RENEGADES – PLAYED 9, WON 3, LOST 6 (6) NRR: +0.033

WIN vs HEAT: And feature in finals if the Stars lose and their net run rate eclipses the winner of Perth Scorchers’ clash with Adelaide Strikers.

LOSS vs HEAT: Guarantees the Renegades will finish in the bottom two for the fifth time in six seasons.

Originally published as BBL14 predicted ladder: Which teams will finish in finals spots?