Cricket Fantasy Predictions Today | BBL 2023-24 | HEA vs STR, Challenger- Cricket Exchange Fantasy Teams
HEA vs STR, BBL 2023-24: Cricket Fantasy Tips and Teams for the Challenger match (Source: x.com)
The Big Bash League 2023-24 is fast approaching its end. The Challenger of the tournament will be played on Monday, the 22nd of January, at the Carrara Oval in Queensland at 1:45 PM IST. The two teams participating in this game will be the Brisbane Heat and the Adelaide Strikers.
Ahead of the game, here is a look at the top player picks, the important player stats, the top captain and vice-captain choices and the best-predicted XiIs for the fantasy contests of the match.
For More Fantasy Tips and Teams, Click Here.
Team Journeys
Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat were in great form in the league stages of the tournament. They won seven of their ten matches and made it to the tournament's Qualifier as the number one team on the ladder. Courtesy of being in the top two, they had two shots to make it into the tournament's final.
In the Qualifier, the Heat were outplayed by the Sydney Sixers. The three-time champion batted first in the match and posted 152 runs on the board in their 20 overs. In reply, the Heat managed only 113 runs before being bundled out in the 18th over of the innings. But despite the 39 runs defeat, they get another chance to qualify for the summit clash as they face the Knockout winners, the Adelaide Strikers, in the Challenger.
Adelaide Strikers
In the case of Heat, the start had been perfect, but the momentum dropped as they reached the Qualifer. But for the Strikers, the journey has been quite the opposite. They had a slow start to the tournament but gathered momentum along the course.
The Matt Short-led team won the last four matches on the trot in the league stage to make their way into the Knockout. The challenge was tough for the Strikers as they faced the most consistent team in the league, the Perth Scorchers, in the all-important clash. The Adelaide-based team stood up to the challenge and defeated the Scorchers convincingly to make their way into the Challenger.
The momentum is with them, and they will be looking to ride it and book their berth in the grand finale. However, after beating the most successful team in the league, they will have to face the best team in the league stages for this edition.
The stage is set for a cracker for a contest as a place in the final is at stake.
HEA vs STR, Team Form Guide
Brisbane Heat: L-L-W-W-W
Adelaide Strikers: W-W-W-W-W
HEA vs STR, Head-to-head
The Strikers and the Heat have played 19 matches against each other. The spoils have been shared by both of them as they have won nine games each, while one match had been abandoned.
HEA vs STR, BBL 2023-24
The two teams were due to face each other once in the tournament. But that is the game that got abandoned.
| Stats | Matches | Brisbane Heat Won | Adelaide Strikers Won | Abandoned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 |
| BBL 2023-24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Last Five Matches | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
HEA vs STR, Challenger: Pitch Report
The pitch at the Carrara Oval will be a sporting one. There will something on it for players of all trades. The wicket has so far seen just a single game in the tournament. Batting seemed tough in the second innings of that match and as a result the team winning the toss will be looking to set a target in this game.
Carrara Oval, BBL 2023-24 Record
Match: 1
Matches Won Batting First: 1
Matches Won Batting Second: 0
First Innings Total Recorded: 152
Second Innings Total Recorded: 113
HEA vs STR, Challenger: Top Player Picks
Paul Walter (HEA)
- BBL 2023-24: 15 Wickets in 9 Innings
- The English all-rounder has been of great utility to the Heat in the tournament. He has been very efficient with the ball in the death overs. Also, Walter can be a very useful batter down the order and that makes him a very good choice for the fantasy contests of the water.
Xavier Bartlett (HEA)
- BBL 2023-24: 17 Wickets in 9 Innings
- Xavier Bartlett has been one of the prime reasons that Heat find themselves in the Challenger of the tournament. He has picked up 17 wickets in the tournament, and a wicket-taker will be a great choice to pick up valuable points in the fantasy contests for the match.
Matthew Short (STR)
- BBL 2023-24: 522 Runs in 10 Innings
- Matthew Short has been in brilliant form with the bat in this tournament. He has been a game changer not only with the bat but also with the ball. Having Short in the team gives you the chance to pick up points in both innings of the match.
Jake Weatherald (STR)
- BBL 2023-24: 194 Runs in 6 Innings
- The overall numbers of Jake Weatherald are not that impressive. But he has been great form in the last two matches. Weatherald will be a great choice for the fantasy contests of the match.
Lloyd Pope (STR)
- BBL 2023-24: 11 Wickets in 5 Innings
- The Aussie leg-spinner has been a revelation for the Strikers in the team. Since he has joined the team, Pope has given advantage to the Strikers in the middle-overs of the games. His wicket taking form makes him the must-pick for this game.
HEA vs STR, Challenger: Cricket Fantasy Player Stats
| Players | Average Fantasy Points |
|---|---|
| Xavier Bartlett | 66.44 |
| Paul Walter | 63.89 |
| Michael Neser | 60.44 |
| Matthew Short | 92.10 |
| Jake Weatherald | 51.67 |
| Lloyd Pope | 74.20 |
HEA vs STR, Challenger: Top Captain and Vice-captain Choices
| Scenario | Captain | Vice-captain |
|---|---|---|
| If Brisbane Heat Bat First | Xavier Bartlett | Lloyd Pope |
| If Adelaide Strikers Bat First | Matthew Short | Cameron Boyce |
HEA vs STR, Challenger: Cricket Fantasy Expert Tips
Given the nature of the wicket and the composition of the two teams, a 1-3-3-4 combination will be ideal for the game.
HEA vs STR, Challenger: Cricket Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues
Export this team to the Cricket Exchange Fantasy App and WIN BIG
Wicketkeeper: Harry Nielsen
Batters: Josh Brown, Nathan McSweeney, Thomas Kelly
All-rounders: Michael Neser, Paul Walter, Matthew Short
Bowlers: Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope
Captain: Xavier Bartlett
Vice-captain: Lloyd Pope
Brisbane Heat: 6 Players; Adelaide Strikers: 5 Players
HEA vs STR, Challenger: Cricket Fantasy Team for Winner Takes All/Grand Leagues
Export this team to the Cricket Exchange Fantasy App and WIN BIG
Wicketkeeper: J Peirson
Batters: Josh Brown, Jake Weatherald, Thomas Kelly
All-rounders: Michael Neser, Paul Walter, Matthew Short
Bowlers: Mitchell Swepson, Cameron Boyce, Henry Thornton, Lloyd Pope
Captain: Matthew Short
Vice-captain: Cameron Boyce
Brisbane Heat: 5 Players; Adelaide Strikers: 6 Players
.jpg "Shakib Ruled Out")
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")