Who will win the BBL13 Qualifier and Knockout Finals?

Can the Heat make two BBL finals in a row? Will the Strikers cause an upset in Perth?

The BBL13 Finals are here with some amazing matchups and the best teams going head-to-head. Read on and listen to the Cricket Today Podcast for a full breakdown, debate and plenty of cricket-based banter surrounding the Qualifier and Knockout BBL13 Finals.

Spencer Johnson of the Heat celebrates dismissing Tom Curran of the Sixers. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

THE QUALIFIER - BRISBANE HEAT vs SYDNEY SIXERS

Carrara Stadium, Friday 7:40pm AEDT

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The top two of BBL13 clash for an opportunity to go straight into the BBL final, and with a Heat team full of rising stars up against the big names and experience of the Sixers, this should be a thrilling clash.

Brisbane has had its best BBL season of all-time in only losing one match to take top spot, while Sydney has found form at the right part of the season. The Sixers went undefeated in its last three matches, including a huge win in Perth over the Scorchers.

PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR

Ben Dwarshuis is having an extremely underrated season for the Sixers, taking 11 wickets while also having the best economy rate of any bowler in the top 10 wicket-takers.

Leo Mullaly talks up the Sydney bowler on the Cricket Today Podcast, saying that he’s “really impressed,” by Dwarshuis. “Batsmen can never seem to get a hold of him and Dwarshuis is an amazing matchup to this poor Heat batting lineup who now only have one International player.”

WHO WINS?

The Heat look like the team to beat at the moment and have built up plenty of confidence after knocking out the Sixers in the finals last season and winning the last four meetings between the two.

Sydney are definitely the more experienced side, but Brisbane’s bowling attack has three of the top 10 wicket-takers in the league, not allowing their opponent to score more than 163 runs across their last six matches.

TIP: Brisbane Heat

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Lance Morris of the Scorchers celebrates his 5th wicket against the Strikers at Optus Stadium. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

THE KNOCKOUT - PERTH SCORCHERS vs ADELAIDE STRIKERS

Optus Stadium, Saturday 7:40pm AEDT

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Finishing in the top two in the three previous seasons and making the BBL Final in eight of the 12 seasons, it’s pretty strange to see the Scorchers in a knockout match, but Perth still remains in a strong position for the title.

The Strikers have had an amazing second half of the season, winning its last four matches in convincing fashion to charge into the finals. Impressively, Adelaide has only lost a total of nine wickets in its last four matches.

PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR

Jake Weatherald is the barometer for this Strikers side, if he can post a solid score with the bat this team wins and he has been the perfect inclusion to replace Chris Lynn at number three.

This Adelaide side has been too reliant on the competition’s leading scorer Matt Short in the past, but in averaging 46 runs across his five innings, with a huge 184 strike rate, the powerful Weatherald could decide if the Strikers win this tough matchup.

WHO WINS?

The Strikers beat the Scorchers in their last meeting - which was at the Adelaide Oval - but it’s a whole different ball game at Optus Stadium, where Adelaide haven’t won since January 2020.

Liam ‘Stats Guy’ McAllion explains on the Cricket Today Podcast that “this Scorchers team has been doing it for years, building confidence in the finals, with a great bowling lineup and different players stepping up each game.”

Winning their last four postseason games and with the consistent pace and accuracy from Jason Behrendorff, this Perth wicket is perfectly set for a big home win.

TIP: Perth Scorchers

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Originally published as Who will win the BBL13 Qualifier and Knockout Finals?