Final four scenarios for the Big Bash finals

1st: Perth Scorchers (14 points)
Played 9 | Won 7 | Lost 2 | NRR 0.13

The run home
Jan 25: v Strikers (home)

The Scorchers have secured their finals berth with a strong result against the Hobart Hurricanes at home, and now face a top-of-the-table clash with the Adelaide Strikers in their final game at the WACA Ground.

2nd: Adelaide Strikers (12 points)
Played 8 | Won 6 | Lost 2 | NRR 0.886

The run home
Jan 22: v Renegades (away)
Jan 25: v Scorchers (away)

While the Strikers are sitting pretty comfortably right now in the top two, they face two tricky away trips on the run home and will need to win at least one of them to guarantee a home final. The good news is they look set to welcome back Alex Carey for the run home, with Australia ODI wicketkeeper Tim Paine having recovered from illness.

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 West on Saturday night – far from the only team to have fallen into that trap – and now face a must-win match away to the Melbourne Stars to guarantee their finals spot in Gary Kirsten's first year as coach. Counting against the 'Canes is their poor Net Run Rate, the second-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.

4th: Melbourne Renegades (8 points)
Played 7 | Won 4 | Lost 3 | NRR 0.345

The run home
Jan 22: v Strikers (home)
Jan 24: v Thunder (away)
Jan 27: v Heat (away)

The good news for the Renegades is they have an extra game in the run home over their rivals for a finals spot. The bad news is two of them are away from home and their fate remains in the balance, but importantly in their own hands. Win all three, and the 'Gades could even secure a home final. Lose all three, and they could still finish outside of the top four.

5th: Sydney Thunder (6 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 to have any chance to playing finals. Do that and they will finish on 10 points and will need to hope either the Renegades stumble in all three final matches, or that the Melbourne Stars can do them a favour and trump the Hurricanes.

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 the Sydney Sixers. Had they won that match they would have leapt up to third spot. Instead they were shocking, bowled out for 73 and now out of the finals race baring a mathematical miracle. Beat the Renegades in their final game at the Gabba and they will finish on 10 points. Various scenarious could see a three- or even four-way tie on 10 points. If that happened, Brisbane's shocking net run rate will surely count against them. A bright spot on the horizon though, the final game was the target for Chris Lynn to return from injury and the big-hitting batsman will be out to make up for lost time, to give the Gabba faithful something to cheer about, and crucially, to prove his fitness for a possible international return in the T20 tri-series.

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 finals but are riding a three-game winning streak, thanks in no small part to continuing amazing summer of off-spinner Nathan Lyon. The end of the Test series saw Lyon overlooked for Australia's white-ball duty 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.

8th: Melbourne Stars (2 points)
Played 8 | Won 1 | Lost 6 | 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 with two games still to come the Stars can still influence the final four from the foot of the ladder. Particularly with the final match against Hobart. It will be an emotional home farewell with both long-serving UK imports Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright parting ways with the club after this season. It's been a season to forget on field but they will want to go out with a bang, and that could spell trouble for the 'Cane Train.

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