It’s business time in the BBL finals, with only three sides remaining in contention to win the title. That means it’s time for the key players to step up, but just who are they exactly from each side?

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Brisbane Heat

The Heat have long been the BBL’s most inconsistent and volatile side, and BBL|10 hadn’t been much different up until the past four matches, where they’ve gone on an impressive winning streak.

That winning run has coincided with the dual returns of Test duo Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Swepson, who’ve both had a remarkable impact on the side.

Labuschagne’s all-round contributions have been outstanding, with 161 runs from five knocks batting in the top-three, combined with 10 wickets at an average of 11, and with an economy rate of 7.33. Plus he’s affected one run out and taken two catches.

Swepson’s discipline is his spin bowling, where he’s been highly effective taking eight wickets in five games with a tight economy rate of 6.8 per over.

However, in assessing their impact, there’s a few notable changes in the way Brisbane have gone about things, with their batting run-rate actually dropping quite significantly, down from 8.79 per over to 7.78.

Brisbane Heat batting

On the flipside, they’re losing fewer wickets per innings. Prior to the pair’s addition, they’d lose a wicket every 2.63 overs, now it’s every 3.38.

A few controlled run chases have helped that, with Labuschagne steady at the top with the bat, as his strike rate of 124.8 would suggest.

Controlled run chases come from good bowling performances and this is exactly where the Heat have improved. But that’s only occurred after Labuschagne and Swepson’s first game back, where they were thrashed by Adelaide. 

Perhaps they’ve settled into their roles, but over the past four matches specifically, the Heat have reduced the opposition’s run rate from 8.31 down to 7.63, bowling with a tighter economy.

Brisbane Heat bowling

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Perth Scorchers

While the Heat have surged, the Scorchers have sizzled, dropping their past two matches. WA’s lockdown has hardly helped their cause, forcing Thursday’s Challenger Final away from Perth where they’d won four from four games at Optus Stadium, resulting in a sudden loss of favouritism.

Despite the long-held belief that Perth’s strong suit is their attack, their bowling has actually been their downfall in most of their defeats this season. Across the six games they’ve lost, they’ve only taken 25 wickets. That’s 4.16 wickets per game.

It’s no secret that Jhye Richardson has been a star for the Scorchers this season, sitting clear as BBL|10 leading wicket-taker, but only seven of his 27 wickets have occurred in defeats. He’s also been Player of the Match on three occasions this season.

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So he’s taken 19 wickets in their eight wins and seven wickets in their six losses (one wicket came in a no-result). That’s a big drop-off.

He also leaked more runs in the defeats, suggesting sides taking an aggressive approach to his bowling have got on top of him, rather than trying to see him off. His importance is no surprise, but how opposition batsmen opt to play him is significant.

Jhye Richardson bowling

Sydney Sixers

Another player who’s been Man of the Match on three occasions this season is Sixers wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippewho wins plenty of plaudits for Sydney's success.

But the thing that makes the reigning champions so strong is their even contribution. For example, unheralded Englishman James Vince starred with 98* in the Qualifier win over Perth on Saturday.

Philippe is actually sixth on the Sixers’ list for best batting averages this season, which says a lot when it comes to an even spread.

Sixers BBL|10 batting averages

That’s significant when you consider in the Sixers’ five losses in BBL|10 they’ve lost in total 37 wickets. That’s an average of 7.4 wickets per game, thus getting through that reliable top order is key to beating them. 

Obviously that’s easier said than done, but it’ll be the challenge for either Perth or Brisbane in Saturday night’s Final.

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