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Bottom-placed Brisbane Heat takes on fifth-placed Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. 

Brisbane lost their last match to Sydney Thunder by four wickets in the BBL 2020. Despite posting a decent total of 178 onboard, their bowlers could not defend the target successfully. Jack Wildermuth was impressive with the ball taking three wickets. Ben Laughlin was taken to the cleaners as he conceded 56 runs in 3.5 overs. 

Adelaide too is coming to this match with a defeat. They lost to Sydney Sixers by 38 runs. 

Chasing a target of 178 to win, Adelaide got off to a flyer as they crossed 50 runs in 4.3 overs. Once their openers were dismissed back to back, their hopes hinged on Matt Renshaw and skipper, Alex Carey. After they got out cheaply, Jonathan Wells did not get much support as he waged a lone battle. Though Wes Agar took two wickets, he leaked 47 runs. Daniel Worrall was impressive as he gave away only 12 runs in his four-over quota and scalped two wickets. 

Team News 

Brisbane can try out Simon Milenko or the experienced bowling all-rounder, Lewis Gregory. They are depending too much on Chris Lynn at the top and the middle order needs to take more responsibility. 

Adelaide may not make any changes to their line up. They may be tempted to include Jake Lehmann, who is the son of former Australian coach, Darren Lehmann. 

Pitch and Conditions 

The Gabba, Brisbane will host their first match of this year's BBL. No rain is forecast for the match. It will be in favour of the batsmen. The pacers can use the overcast conditions to their advantage by moving the ball around. A total of above 170 would be considered a par score.

Probable Playing XI

Brisbane Heat (BRH): Max Bryant, Sam Heazlett, Chris Lynn (c), Daniel Lawrence, Tom Cooper, Jack Wildermuth, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Mark Steketee/Lewis Gregory, Matthew Kuhnemann, Ben Laughlin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Adelaide Strikers (ADS): Philip Salt, Jake Weatherald, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (c & wk), Jonathan Wells, Matthew Short/Jake Lehmann, Liam Scott, Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Danny Briggs, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar

Key Battles

Max Bryant vs Daniel Worrall

Max Bryant vs Daniel Worrall  BBL
Max Bryant vs Daniel Worrall

Bryant scored 29 runs in the last game. He is a savage pinch-hitter who possesses brute strength. Being a hard-hitting opener, he is blessed with strong technique. He can take the game away from the bowlers very early in the innings. He is a prodigious talent in the making for Australia. 

Worrall took two wickets for 12 runs in the previous match. His eccentric action with a curved-run up is quite different but he has the talent to make regular breakthroughs. He is a vital cog with the new ball for Adelaide. 

Matt Renshaw vs Jack Wildermuth 

Matt Renshaw vs Jack Wildermuth   BBL
Matt Renshaw vs Jack Wildermuth 

Renshaw could muster only 6 runs in the last match. He takes his time at the start of the innings. He is highly capable to play long innings with his dogged resistance and patience. Being a gritty player, he is at his best in seaming conditions. 

Wildermuth took three wickets for 23 runs in the previous game against Sydney. He picked up the big wickets of dangerous batsmen like Alex Hales and Callum Ferguson. He can control the run flow at the start with his raw pace and accuracy. 

Prediction 

Brisbane is playing a match after getting more than a week's rest since their last game. They will be raring to go and notch up their maiden victory this season. Adelaide played their previous match just two days ago. A win for Adelaide could see them move to the fourth spot in the points table. 

Cricwizz predicts Brisbane Heat to win the match.