Bottom-placed Perth Scorchers takes on fifth-placed Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.
Perth is the only team yet to win a match this season. They lost their last match to Sydney Thunder by 7 wickets. The top-order failed and they could muster only 152 onboard. Their bowlers did a good job to drag the match till the last over.
Adelaide clinched their previous match just by two runs against Brisbane Heat. Defending a low target of 151, their bowlers came out on top as Danny Briggs took three wickets and Daniel Worrall delivered well at the death.
Head to Head
Matches Played- 16, Scorchers-8, Strikers-8
Team News
Perth needs their opening pair of Josh Inglis and Colin Munro to hit big knocks. Their middle order looks good at the moment with Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner, and Cameron Bancroft all in fine form. Their bowlers have gone a decent job but need to take more wickets to put the pressure on the opposition.
Adelaide's opening pair of Jake Weatherald and Philip Salt have been inconsistent leading to more dependence on the middle-order. Peter Siddle was a bit expensive in the last game and needs to control the run flow.
Pitch and Conditions
Adelaide becomes another venue for the BBL hosting its first match. It is known to be a batting-friendly venue with some swing available for the bowlers at the start of the innings. No rain is expected to disrupt the match. It is best to put up a big score and defend it successfully.
Probable Playing XI
Perth Scorchers (SCO): Josh Inglis (wk), Colin Munro, Joe Clarke, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner (c), Cameron Bancroft, Jhye Richardson, Aaron Hardie, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff/Joel Paris, Fawad Ahmed
Adelaide Strikers (STR): Jake Weatherald, Philip Salt, Matt Renshaw, Jonathan Wells, Matthew Short/Liam Scott, Harry Nielsen (wk), Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Danny Briggs, Peter Siddle (c), Wes Agar
Key Battles
Cameron Bancroft (SCO) vs Danny Briggs (STR)
Bancroft hit 34 runs in the previous game. He is a vital cog in the middle order and possesses a solid technique and great match awareness. He is a proven match-winner and can change the game in a few overs.
Briggs had a good outing with the ball taking three wickets in the last match. The left-armer bowls a probing line and length to unsettle the batsmen and control the run flow. He has conceded less than six runs an over in his last two matches.
Andrew Tye (SCO) vs Harry Nielsen (STR)
Nielsen struck a quickfire 28 in the last game. The southpaw replaced Alex Carey in the batting line-up after Carey was forced to miss the match due to Queensland's strict border restrictions. He has made steady progress in the domestic season. He is capable of big-hitting, especially in the death overs.
Tye gave away 25 runs in the previous match and did not take a wicket. The experienced right-arm can bowl toe-crushing yorkers and clever variations to keep the batsmen guessing. He has the temperament to execute his game plan perfectly. He can choke the batsmen with pressure especially when they are attempting to up the ante. Tye is a perfect T20 package due to his high efficiency during the slog overs.
Prediction
This is a good chance for Perth to claim their first victory against an Adelaide line-up that are huffing and puffing to wins by playing good during the big moments. Adelaide has some superstar bowlers in their attack along with the advantage of playing in home conditions. Perth's batsmen need to get going right from the start.
Cricwizz predicts Perth Scorchers to win the match
