The top two in the Big Bash League table meet in the tournament on Thursday when the Perth Scorchers host the Brisbane Heat at the WACA. Some huge names are on show in this match to entertain us.
Both sides go into the contest with three wins from their four matches to date and the winners here will not only go two points clear at the top but they will assume pole position in the race for a home semi-final.
Perth Scorchers
A dodgy batting performance in Sydney aside, this has been a strong start to the season for the Perth Scorchers as they look to regain their title. The foundations for those wins have come with the ball. No side has scored more than 150 against them in their four matches which is pretty incredible with the excellent tracks we’ve seen in the tournament so far.
Their batting hasn’t been too shabby either. In Michael Klinger, Ian Bell and Mitchell Marsh they have three of the top 10 leading run scorers in the competition so it isn’t hard to see why the Scorchers have been hard to beat so far this season.
Brisbane Heat
It has been all about the bat for the Heat this season. They have put up over 160 in all of their matches but they need to score big because they don’t have a bowling attack which is going to scare many sides even in conditions which might suit such as those at the WACA.
Brisbane’s weakness with the ball was exposed in their last match when the Sydney Sixers chased down a sizeable looking total with plenty in hand. That ended an unbeaten start to the season for the Heat and they will be looking to get back to winning ways in this one.
Team News
Perth Scorchers will have Ashton Agar back in the fold after he was left out of the Sydney Test match. He comes back at a good time as captain Adam Voges is out with injury. Michael Klinger will captain in his absence.
Brisbane Heat are without a big gun for this match too. Samuel Badree is having a hamstring injury assessed and hasn’t made the journey. Chris Lynn has travelled but he is a doubt with a shoulder injury. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Reardon and Marnus Labuschagne have been included in the squad.
Betting
Both sides go into the match with identical records this season but I only see one winner here and that is the home side. I expect them to win well too. Brisbane rely heavily on their batting but they’re not going to be able to clout this Perth Scorchers attack around very easily.
Brisbane are light with the ball at the best of times but when you take Samuel Badree out of their side there is an element of a cannon fodder look to their attack. As I repeatedly say it is bowling attacks that win matches in this format of the game and barring one of those insane blitzes that McCullum is capable of I expect the Scorchers to have plenty in hand here.
Tips
Back Perth Scorchers (-2.5wickets/6.5runs) to beat Brisbane Heat for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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