The second half of the Big Bash League double header on Friday, and the final match in the competition before Christmas, comes from the WACA in Perth as the Scorchers host the Adelaide Strikers.
This will be Perth’s first match of the tournament while Adelaide will be looking to rebound from their defeat in their opening match, a match they looked to be cruising at one stage. These two were both in the top three in the table last year so we should be in for a good match.
Perth Scorchers
The Perth side failed in their quest to make it three titles in a row last season when they lost out to the Melbourne Stars in the semi-final. That was something of a surprise result but it was one that had been coming as they were unable to find the consistencies of previous seasons. Sudden international call ups never helped.
The Scorchers historically have been bonded around a gun bowling attack who have the confidence to defend any total but two of their lynchpins in that regard – Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Coulter-Nile are missing for this season so they need to find able replacements. Mitch Marsh losing his Test place is very much Perth’s gain.
Adelaide Strikers
After getting carted all over the place in their opening match it looked like the Strikers’ feared batting line up were going to get their side over the line but the amazing captaincy of Brendon McCullum had other ideas and in the end Adelaide fell well short. The loss has to be on the hands of the bowlers because more often than not 196 will win matches.
We will find out in this match whether Adelaide’s bowlers just had a bad day or whether there is a deeper lying thing. Adil Rashid was an important member of the bowling attack last season and they did struggle a little without him. That said Kane Richardson and Ben Laughlin are unlikely to be as expensive again.
Team News
Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff are all on the sidelines with injury but Mitch Marsh is around. Hilton Cartwright misses out due to international duty. Mitchell Johnson could debut as could Ian Bell.
Adelaide have made one change to their squad after their beating by Brisbane last time out. Wes Agar drops out and Billy Stanlake comes in to replace him.
Betting
This should be a great game, one I would expect the Scorchers to win but all the injuries in their bowling attack make me tread with a bit of caution I have to admit. Perth are drifting a little and come the time of the off they might be a backable price but I’m a little reluctant to get involved at their current price.
I do fancy this to be a high scoring match though between two sides loaded with decent batsmen and with that in mind I’m going to target the total boundaries. The line is 33.5 which is quite low given the size of this ground and the speed of the outfield anyway but with two aggressive batting line ups I’m expecting the boundaries to be peppered. I’ll take the boundaries in case the likes of Bell and Klinger bat long periods as neither of those are renowned six hitters.
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere I think there is a chance Sam Whiteman gets a big role for the Scorchers in this match and if that is the case then the 14/1 on him to be the top Scorchers batsman is just a little too high. He’s in superb form at the minute and that is too big a price not to have a small go at.
Tips
WON – Back Over 33.5 boundaries for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
Back it here:
Back S.Whiteman Top Perth Scorchers Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 with Unibet
Back him here:
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