The second half of Saturday’s double header in the Big Bash League comes from the west as the Perth Scorchers host the Melbourne Stars in a battle between two sides desperate to make it into the top four.
The Scorchers head into the match top of the table and they know a win will secure them of a spot in the semi-finals. The Stars begin in fourth place but they will go top themselves if they win and the Sydney Sixers don’t win earlier in the day.
Perth Scorchers
Perth bounced back from a savage beating by the Brisbane Heat to beat the same opponents in their last match. That had the feel of a significant win about it because not only did they knock off the side who were blitzing a trail in the league but they got back to defending bang average totals which is the strength of their success.
They will be hoping their bowling attack can continue in that vein here but they would also like the batsmen to stand up and take the pressure off them. Ian Bell has suddenly gone quiet and now would be a good time for him, Shaun Marsh and Hilton Cartwright to find some form and support the run machine Michael Klinger.
Melbourne Stars
The Stars have won their last two matches in this tournament so they have recovered from losing that epic encounter against the Sydney Thunder when Eoin Morgan hit the final ball for six nicely but this represents a tougher test than they have faced in either of those two wins.
Although they beat the Adelaide Strikers last time out their weaknesses were exposed in that match. Their death bowling is a real concern as is a lack of batting depth outside their top four and you would think the Scorchers have the attack to get stuck into that light batting line up. The Stars might need one of their unheralded players to become a superstar for them here.
Team News
Perth Scorchers will be without Sam Whiteman who hasn’t passed concussion tests. Cameron Bancroft could well come in for him. Mitchell Marsh is away with the Australia ODI squad.
Melbourne Stars have made just the squad with Jackson Coleman coming in for Seb Gotch but it is unlikely they will change a winning side.
Betting
Melbourne Stars beat the Perth Scorchers in the semi-final last season but I’m not convinced they are equipped to beat them here. Admittedly if the likes of Rob Quiney or Kevin Pietersen go off then the Stars can beat anyone but I’m not sure I would be wanting to rely on that.
The lack of genuine depth in this Stars side isn’t good and I worry about their bowling at the death too so I’m with the Perth Scorchers here who are the exact opposite. They have plenty of batting depth and their bowling is sound throughout their entire innings. Barring a freak innings I’m expecting the Scorchers to secure their semi-final spot with a win here.
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