Top four spots still up in air ahead of today's double-header. Here's what your team needs
The BBL|06 finals scenarios in detail
Six teams remain in the hunt for the KFC Big Bash League title but only one is assured of a semi-final berth going into the final day of the regular season.
After securing a top-four finish with their win over the Melbourne Stars on Tuesday, the Brisbane Heat failed to lock up top spot and a guaranteed home final after losing to the Renegades on Friday.
At the other end of the table, the Sydney Thunder's title defence is official over with them and the Adelaide Strikers the two sides out of the running.
It sets the scene for what will be an intriguing final day with a bumper double-header kicking off in Hobart where the Hurricanes take on the Scorchers at 4.20pm (AEDT), before the Stars do battle with the Sixers at the MCG (7.25pm AEDT).
Quick Single: Live Big Bash League ladder
Here is a look at where your team sits and the possible permutations for the BBL|06 finals.
Brisbane Heat
The Heat missed the chance to lock up top spot with their final-ball loss to the Renegades last night. And while they’re still assured of a top-four finish, if both the Stars and the Scorchers record victories today, Brendon McCullum’s men could drop as low as third and lose the right to host a semi-final at the Gabba in front of their home fans. Their net run-rate dropped to 0.516 with the loss against the Renegades, dipping under the Stars’ 0.547 but remains above the Scorchers’ 0.331 with both those teams in action today.
Melbourne Stars
The Stars threw away a golden opportunity to wrap up a home semi-final by losing against the Heat on Tuesday night but could still ascend to the top of the table after the Heat’s loss on Friday. They could theoretically finish anywhere between first and sixth, though their competition-leading net run rate means they’d have to get thumped by the Sixers to drop out of the top four. A win will see them secure a home semi-final.
Perth Scorchers
One of five teams on eight points going into the BBL regular season’s final day, the Scorchers should feel relatively comfortable about their position in the finals. Their net run rate is higher than the Renegades and the Sixers but they’ll need a big win over the Hurricanes on Saturday to better the Stars or the Heat. But if they win and the Stars lose, the Scorchers should vault into the top two and a lock in a home semi-final at the WACA Ground.
Sydney Sixers
Saturday's flogging at the hands of the Thunder serves as a perfect example of how a net run rate can be destroyed so quickly. Tonight's clash with the table-topping Stars is now a must-win for the men in magenta and despite their net run rate being the lowest in the competition, a victory will see them sneak into the top four.
Melbourne Renegades
Aaron Finch will be doing well to have any fingernails left after all their tight games this summer. They’ve been on the losing end of a couple of final-over thrillers in BBL|06 but they prevailed on Friday night to keep their tournament hopes alive at the Gabba despite a chaotic last over from Nathan Rimmington. They now sit in fourth spot and will be in the unfamiliar position of cheering on their cross-town rivals Melbourne Stars on Saturday, as a Sixers win would knock them out of the competition. The Hurricanes too could overtake them, but they would need a huge win over the Scorchers on Saturday.
Hobart Hurricanes
Tim Paine’s men need something resembling a minor miracle to play the Big Bash finals, starting with a home win against Perth this afternoon. The Hurricanes sit in seventh position on six points, a win behind the five teams on eight points. They’ll not only need to beat Perth, but win big to boost their net run rate in a crowded field. Then they must hope for a big Stars win at the MCG to be in with a chance of leapfrogging the Sixers on net run rate.
We could finish 3rd....but we need to defeat Scorchers by 30+ runs or chase inside 16.4 overs. We then wouldn't need to rely on last match.
— Hobart Hurricanes (@HurricanesBBL) January 20, 2017
Adelaide Strikers
The season is over for the team Ricky Ponting picked as his pre-tournament favourites to win BBL|06. Coach Jason Gillespie lamented a lack of contributions from batsmen other than Ben Dunk and Brad Hodge while injuries and national call-ups also harmed their chances. The off-season rumour mill is already in full-swing however, with reports Hodge will not be offered a new contract for BBL|07 with the veteran batsman already indicating he will look for opportunities at another franchise.
Sydney Thunder
From defending champions to reacquainting themselves with the wooden spoon for the 'Green Machine'. Not much went right for the Thunder this campaign. Veteran superstars Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis did not return for BBL|06 and Usman Khawaja was with the national team for the duration of the tournament. Star import Andre Russell entered the tournament under a cloud with an anti-doping hearing hanging over his head, looked well below his best and departed with injury. Carlos Brathwaite was a breath of fresh air but it is back to the drawing board in west Sydney.