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Final four scenarios for Big Bash League

As the BBL|07 season gets to the pointy end, there's still potential for some serious plot twists

1st: Adelaide Strikers (14 points)
Played 9 | Won 7 | Lost 2 | NRR 0.933

The run home
Jan 25: v Scorchers (away)

The Strikers' win over the Renegades on Monday was enough to lock in a home-semi final at Adelaide Oval on February 2. They've got one more regular season match to go, in what could well be a preview of the BBL|07 final when they meet the Scorchers in Perth on Thursday. Both teams are already cemented in the top two but a potential home grand final is on offer for the victor, plus bragging rights and a confidence boost ahead of knockout games. From there, the Strikers will simply have to sit back and relax as they wait to see who they'll play in the semis.

 
Match Highlights: Strikers storm 'Gades, secure home semi

2nd: Perth Scorchers (14 points)
Played 9 | Won 7 | Lost 2 | NRR 0.13

The run home
Jan 25: v Strikers (home)

Thanks to the Strikers' win over the Renegades, the Scorchers have not only secured their finals berth, they also know they'll be hosting their semi-final at the new Optus Stadium on February 1. They now face a top-of-the-table clash with the Strikers in their final game at the WACA Ground, with victory there securing a chance at a home grand final, while they'll have to wait until Saturday night to find out who they'll play in the semis.

Match Highlights: Scorchers topple the Hurricanes

3rd: Hobart Hurricanes (10 points)
Played 9 | Won 5 | Lost 4 | NRR -0.277

The run home
Jan 27: v Stars (away)

The Hurricanes slipped up on their trip to Perth on Saturday night – far from the only team to have fallen into that trap – and now face a crucial match away to the Melbourne Stars to guarantee their finals spot. Counting against the 'Canes is their poor net run rate, the third-worst in the competition, and with the Sydney Thunder on a late-season roll, it could well be the difference between a top-four finish and missing out on the knockout games.

Short makes history at the Gabba with century

4th: Melbourne Renegades (8 points)
Played 8 | Won 4 | Lost 4 | NRR 0.134

The run home
Jan 24: v Thunder (away)
Jan 27: v Heat (away)

The good news for the Renegades is they still have have two games up their sleeve as they hunt a finals spot. The bad news is both of them are away from home and their fate remains in the balance, but importantly in their own hands. A home final is out of the equation and they'll need to win both of their remaining matches to be assured of a finals berth, while one win means net run rate will come into the equation.  

Match Highlights: Renegades smash Stars in Derby

5th: Sydney Thunder (8 points)
Played 9 | Won 4 | Lost 5 | NRR 0.006

The run home
Jan 24: v Renegades (home)

The Thunder need other results to go their way if they're any hope of making the top four, but they're not done with yet. They beat the Stars convincingly and will need to do the same against the Renegades on Wednesday to have any chance of playing finals. Do that and they will finish on 10 points and be left hoping either the Renegades stumble in their final match against the Heat (and that the Heat don't win by too much) or that the Melbourne Stars can do them a favour by trumping the Hurricanes.

Match Highlights: Thunder teach the Stars a lesson

6th: Brisbane Heat (8 points)
Played 9 | Won 4 | Lost 5 | NRR -0.331

The run home
Jan 27: v Renegades (home)

How the Heat will rue that capitualtion against Sydney Sixers last week. Had they won that match they would have leapt up to third spot, but they are instead out of the finals race barring a mathematical miracle. Victory over the Renegades in their final game at the Gabba will mean they finish on 10 points and while various scenarios could see a three-way tie on that score, the Heat's poor net run rate will likely count against them.

Match Highlights: Red-hot Heat hammer Scorchers

7th: Sydney Sixers (6 points)
Played 9 | Won 3 | Lost 6 | NRR 0.236

The run home
Jan 23: v Stars (home)

The Sixers are out of the race for the finals but are riding a three-game winning streak, thanks in no small part to the continuation of an amazing summer from off-spinner Nathan Lyon. The end of the Test series saw Lyon overlooked for Australia's white-ball duties and he's rewarded the Sixers, while West Indies import Carlos Brathwaite has been a breath of fresh air. They absolutely destroyed the Brisbane Heat to derail their season, leading Sixers fans to wonder what might have been. At least they will avoid the BBL|07 wooden spoon.

Match Highlights: Super Sixers score crushing victory

8th: Melbourne Stars (2 points)
Played 8 | Won 1 | Lost 7 | NRR -1.028

The run home
Jan 23: v Sixers (away)
Jan 27: v Hurricanes (home)

For the first time in their history, the Stars won't make the BBL finals this season but they can still influence the final four from the foot of the ladder, particularly in their final match against Hobart. It will be an emotional home farewell for long-serving UK imports Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright and they will want to go out with a bang after such a disapponting season. Which could spell trouble for the 'Cane Train.

Match highlights: Stars rule Renegades in derby

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