Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat won the first two editions of the Big Bash in 2012 and 2013 and the two teams meet at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Wednesday's 2023-24 final (08:15).
The Heat have not lifted the trophy since 2013, but the Sixers won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021 and they claimed a comprehensive victory over the Brisbane franchise in this season's play-off Qualifier.
- Brisbane Heat to hit more sixes
- Daniel Hughes top Sydney Sixers runscorer
- Spencer Johnson top Brisbane Heat wicket-taker
Big-hitting Brisbane Could Punish Sixers' Bowlers
The Heat and the Sixers finished first and second in the league stage of the Big Bash and they have come through the play-offs to set up a fascinating final at the SCG.
The Heat narrowly missed out on the title last season, losing to Perth Scorchers in a thrilling final, and they will want to improve on a disappointing batting display against the Sixers in last week's play-off Qualifier.
They were bowled out for just 113 to lose by 39 runs, but bounced back to beat Adelaide Strikers on Monday thanks to a stunning innings of 140 from just 57 balls by Josh Brown.
The opener hit 12 sixes while the Strikers managed just six maximums between them and Brisbane are worth backing to hit more sixes than their opponents in Wednesday's final.
That market was tied at five apiece in last week's play-off meeting while none of the Sixers' batsmen managed to clear the ropes in last season's Challenger defeat to the Heat.
BRISBANE HEAT TO HIT MORE SIXES
Experienced Hughes Has Role To Play
Brisbane's Brown is not the only in-form opener hoping to make a big splash in the Big Bash final and Daniel Hughes should be back to be Sydney Sixers' top runscorer.
The experienced left-hander has stepped up after English opener James Vince left for the International League T20 in the UAE, scoring an unbeaten 60 in his first appearance of the season against Hobart Hurricanes.
His last three knocks were 41 off 32 balls against Melbourne Stars, 74 off 43 against the Scorchers and 42 off 33 – the second-highest score of the innings - in the play-off win over Brisbane.
Hughes also top-scored with 23 in the 2022-23 Challenger loss to the Heat and he could play a crucial role for the Sixers at the SCG.
DANIEL HUGHES TOP SYDNEY RUNSCORER
Speedy Spencer Poses A Threat At The SCG
Brisbane paceman Xavier Bartlett's impressive Bash performances have earned him a call-up to Australia's Twenty20 squad to face the West Indies, but Bartlett's team-mate Spencer Johnson has also caught the eye in recent games.
The left-armer took three wickets for just one run from the 20 balls he delivered on his debut for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred last summer and his searing pace caused huge problems for the Strikers on Monday.
Johnson dismissed Adelaide openers Matthew Short, the leading runscorer in this season's Bash, and D'Arcy Short in his first over and finished with figures of 3-20 from four overs.
He has taken two or more wickets in four of his last five matches, claiming 2-14 from four overs in the Qualifier defeat to the Sixers, and he could lead the way for a fiery Heat bowling attack in the final.
SPENCER JOHNSON TOP BRISBANE HEAT WICKET-TAKER
