Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat, 35th Match

The 35th match of the Big Bash League 2025-26 features Hobart Hurricanes taking on Brisbane Heat at the Bellerive Oval. Both teams have had fluctuating fortunes this season. Hobart Hurricanes have displayed moments of brilliance, especially on their home turf, leveraging the familiarity with pitch conditions to eke out wins. Their last five matches show a balanced performance with some consistent contributions from their top order and effective bowling spells in the middle overs. Brisbane Heat, on the other hand, have been relatively inconsistent but possess a few match-winners who can change the game's complexion quickly. Heat's batting line-up has shown the ability to accelerate in the death overs, but their middle-order fragility has been exposed in recent matches. In terms of head-to-head encounters at Bellerive Oval, Hurricanes hold a slight advantage, capitalizing on conditions and crowd support. Key players like Matt Renshaw and Mitchell Swepson have been pivotal for Hurricanes, combining solid batting with spin bowling control. Brisbane Heat will bank on the explosive batting of Ben McDermott and the all-round abilities of Jimmy Peirson. Strategically, Hurricanes are likely to emphasize building innings through the top order and apply pressure with spin. Heat might look to exploit power-hitting in the late overs and use their fast-bowling attack to target the Hurricanes' middle order. Considering current form, home advantage, and balance in squads, the match is evenly poised. However, the Hurricanes' cohesive unit and tactical acumen at the Bellerive Oval nudge them slightly ahead in this contest. #### AI suggested match winner Hobart Hurricanes: 55%, Brisbane Heat: 45%

If the Hobart Hurricanes bat first, they are likely to post a challenging total in the range of 165 to 175 runs. Their top order's ability to negotiate the new ball and accelerate later, combined with the generally batting-friendly conditions at Bellerive Oval, supports a competitive first-innings score. Conversely, if Brisbane Heat bat first, the conditions still favor a score between 160 and 170, given their solid middle overs batting and power hitters at the death. The pitch tends to hold its shape, which means teams batting second will have ample opportunity to chase but need a strong start to stay ahead of the run rate. Overall, a 165-run target is par on this wicket.

The Bellerive Oval pitch traditionally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball under evening conditions. Historically, the average first-innings score here is around 165-170 in T20 matches, making it a batting-friendly pitch with occasional assistance for spinners as the game progresses. Chasing teams have a slightly higher success rate at approximately 52%, reflecting the relatively flat nature of the surface and short boundaries. Weather forecast for 14 January 2026 predicts clear skies and mild temperatures hovering around 22°C, ideal for cricket with minimal humidity and slight breeze, which may assist swing bowlers early on. Among the competing teams, Mitchell Swepson has the best bowling figures for the Hurricanes at this ground, often exploiting the turn and bounce. On the batting side, Ben McDermott stands out for the Heat with a record high score of 89* here, showcasing his ability to dominate the Hurricanes' bowling attack. The best ever individual bowling performance at this venue between these teams was a four-wicket haul by Rashid Khan in the previous season's encounter.

Matches Played	Hobart Hurricanes Won	Brisbane Heat Won
14	8	6

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
Hobart Hurricanes	W, L, W, W, L
Brisbane Heat	L, W, L, W, L

Matt Renshaw: Renshaw has been in fine form, consistently providing solid starts and anchoring the Hurricanes’ innings with good strike rotation and the occasional boundary.

Mitchell Swepson: Swepson's spin bowling has troubled opponents on this pitch this season, with tight lines and wicket-taking deliveries in the middle overs.

Ben McDermott: Known for explosive batting, McDermott has scored heavily against the Hurricanes, including a swift 89 not out recently at this ground.

Jimmy Peirson: The Heat's dependable wicketkeeper-batsman has contributed valuable runs down the order and is adept at steadying innings during crunch moments.

Michael Neser: Neser brings precision in fast bowling and useful lower-order hitting, often breaking partnerships and restricting scoring in tight situations.