BBL|13 is now past the three-quarter mark of the regular season, with the race for four finals spots taking shape. Brisbane Heat are locked into the postseason as the competition’s only remaining undefeated side, while Perth Scorchers sit second in their pursuit for an unprecedented three-peat. We take you through all the contenders in the run home.

LADDER

1. Brisbane Heat (6-0, 2 NR) 14 points, 1.44 NRR
2. Perth Scorchers (5-1, 1 NR), 11 points, 1.03 NRR
3. Sydney Sixers (4-2, 2 NR), 10 points, 0.25 NRR
4. Melbourne Stars (4-4), 8 points, -1.12 NRR
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5. Hobart Hurricanes (3-4), 6 points, -0.07 NRR
6. Adelaide Strikers (2-4, 1 NR), 5 points, -0.23 NRR
7. Sydney Thunder (1-5, 1 NR), 3 points, -0.43 NRR
8. Melbourne Renegades (1-6, 1 NR), 3 points, 0.52 NRR

NR = No result, 1 point
NRR = Net run rate

REMAINING FIXTURES

GAME 31
Adelaide Strikers vs. Hobart Hurricanes @ Adelaide Oval
Tuesday January 9, 7:10pm ACDT

GAME 32
Brisbane Heat vs. Perth Scorchers @ The Gabba
Wednesday January 10, 6:40pm AEST

GAME 33
Hobart Hurricanes vs. Adelaide Strikers @ Blundstone Arena
Thursday January 11, 7:15pm AEDT

GAME 34
Sydney Sixers vs. Sydney Thunder @ SCG
Friday January 12, 7:15pm AEDT

GAME 35
Perth Scorchers vs. Brisbane Heat @ Optus Stadium
Saturday January 13, 1:15pm AWST

GAME 36
Melbourne Renegades vs. Melbourne Stars @ Marvel Stadium
Saturday January 13, 7:30pm AEDT

GAME 37
Sydney Thunder vs. Adelaide Strikers @ Manuka Oval
Sunday January 14, 7:15pm AEDT

GAME 38
Melbourne Stars vs. Hobart Hurricanes @ MCG
Monday January 15, 7:15pm AEDT

GAME 39
Perth Scorchers vs. Sydney Sixers @ Optus Stadium
Tuesday January 16, 4:40pm AWST

GAME 40
Sydney Thunder vs. Melbourne Renegades @ Sydney Showground Stadium
Wednesday January 17, 7:15pm AEDT

THE RUN HOME

With Brisbane Heat already stamping their ticket and Melbourne Renegades out of the race, the remaining six teams are all mathematically in with a chance of making the top four.

Defending champions, Perth Scorchers are best poised to snatch a top two spot alongside the Sydney Sixers, while Melbourne Stars hang perilously close to dropping out of the all important fourth position.

BRISBANE HEAT (IN)
1st | 6-0, 2 NR | 14 points | 1.44 NRR
Games remaining: vs. Scorchers, @ Scorchers

Brisbane was the first team to secure a finals berth and remains the only side to officially do so. The Heat also hold the competition’s only undefeated record and will likely finish top with a win in one of their final two fixtures – both against the Scorchers. Either fixture will provide an ideal run into finals against arguably the best opposition possible.

Predicted finish: 1st | 7-1, 2 NR

PERTH SCORCHERS
2nd | 5-1, 1 NR | 11 points | 1.03 NRR
Games remaining: @ Heat, vs. Heat, vs. Sixers

The double defending champions dropped their first game in 11 outings before a bounceback win against Sydney Thunder, which put them clear in second spot. The Scorchers’ mettle will truly be tested in the run home with consecutive fixtures against the undefeated Brisbane Heat, and a meeting with Sydney Sixers to round out their regular season. A top four spot is all but secure but a top two place is in the air.

Predicted finish: 2nd | 7-2, 1 NR

SYDNEY SIXERS
3rd | 4-2, 2 NR | 10 points | 0.25 NRR
Games remaining: vs. Thunder, @ Scorchers

A Sydney Derby is in the Sixers’ midst and a couple of timely inclusions may be on the way. We’ve pencilled them in for at least one win in their last two games, though an away trip to Perth is likely to present a challenge. The Sixers could well slip to fourth, but there is an equal chance they finish strongly and snatch second with the Scorchers facing a difficult run home. The final game will be decisive.

Predicted finish: 4th | 5-3, 2 NR

MELBOURNE STARS
4th | 4-4 | 8 points | -1.12 NRR
Games remaining: @ Renegades, vs. Hurricanes

Melbourne Stars are in an interesting position; still in with a mathematical chance of finishing second, but also at risk of dropping out of the top four. In all likelihood, they finish third or fourth and will need a win in one of their last two games to do so. The return Melbourne Derby presents as the best opportunity, perhaps to take some pressure off before a crunch game against the Hurricanes at home.

Predicted finish: 3rd | 6-4

HOBART HURRICANES
5th | 3-4 | 6 points | -0.07 NRR
Games remaining: @ Strikers, vs. Strikers, @ Stars

The Hurricanes are within striking distance of the top four and have everything to play for against their closest opposition. Home and away legs against the Strikers will prove pivotal as both sides look to snatch a finals spot, while Hobart’s closing fixture against the Stars could well be the decisive fixture. Two wins will likely be the requirement here, which is a tough ask with two away trips.

Predicted finish: 6th | 4-6

ADELAIDE STRIKERS
6th | 2-4, 1 NR | 5 points | -0.23 NRR
Games remaining: vs. Hurricanes, @ Hurricanes, @ Thunder

Adelaide’s fate is in its hands, with back-to-back fixtures against Hobart Hurricanes followed by a very winnable clash against Sydney Thunder – albeit on the road. The two meetings with Hobart will make or break the Strikers, who arguably have a good enough side to make finals and should back themselves to nab two wins in their last three games. Whether that’s enough to make the top four is another question.

Predicted finish: 5th | 4-5, 1 NR

SYDNEY THUNDER
7th | 1-5, 1 NR | 3 points | -0.43 NRR
Games remaining: @ Sixers, vs. Strikers, vs. Renegades

Sydney Thunder’s season all but officially ended with last night’s loss to the Scorchers, though there remains three opportunities for consolation wins. The Thunder will be keen to spoil the Sixers’ top two hopes in the upcoming derby, before rounding out the season with home games against two teams currently in the bottom four – including last place, Melbourne Renegades.

Predicted finish: 7th | 2-7, 1 NR

MELBOURNE RENEGADES (OUT)
8th | 1-6, 1 NR | 3 points | 0.52 NRR
Games remaining: vs. Stars, @ Thunder

While their own campaign is over for another season, the Renegades may yet have an impact on the finals picture when they come up against the Stars in a home Melbourne Derby. A final day fixture against Sydney Thunder will also mean something to the competition’s cellar dwellers, as they look to avoid collecting a fourth wooden spoon in five seasons.

Predicted finish: 8th | 1-8, 1 NR

KEY FIXTURES

Heat-Scorchers double-header

Brisbane’s undefeated record will most be at threat with back-to-back games against the Scorchers, who have dropped one match in their quest for a third-consecutive title. The Heat have the quality to take down Perth at home but faces a tough ask in beating the champs away, in a pair of games which will likely shape the top two. If honours are shared, they may well meet in The Qualifier.

Strikers-Hurricanes double-header

While Melbourne Stars currently sit ahead of both sides, the Strikers and Hurricanes are both in with a shot of making finals and will have to take each other down to do so. The Hurricanes have a poor away record and with that in mind, we predict the ledger will sit at one win apiece. Hobart faces another pressing fixture against the Stars (away), while Adelaide travels to take on Sydney Thunder (seventh).

Stars vs. Hurricanes

If the two fixtures between Adelaide and Hobart weren’t pressing enough, this one is sure to make or break the Hurricanes’ season. It may also be what separates the Stars from a finals appearance, with potential for both campaigns to go down to the wire. Melbourne has everything to lose here, and the Hurricanes will come for all they’ve got, albeit if they don’t travel particularly well.

Scorchers vs. Sixers

The Scorchers’ run home makes for scary reading, if you’re just about any team but the Scorchers. The five-time title winners will back themselves against any side, but after taking on Brisbane twice, may face a must-win situation against the Sixers for a top two spot. The Sydney side will have eyes on second, but may also be in a fight to stay within the top four pending other results. Game on.

FINALS STRUCTURE

The condensed nature of BBL|13’s 40-game regular season has translated to its finals structure, which will include the four top-ranked teams. The top two clubs will earn double chances in a four-game finals format, first playing off in the ‘Qualifier’ for direct passage into the Final. Third and fourth will meet in the ‘Knockout’, with the winner to advance to the ‘Challenger’ and compete for the second decider spot.

The Qualifier: 1st vs. 2nd | January 19
The Knockout: 3rd vs. 4th | January 20
The Challenger: Qualifier Loser vs. Knockout Winner | January 22
The Final: Qualifier Winner vs. Challenger Winner | January 24