The regular season stage of the Big Bash League campaign is in the books and now we are down to the playoffs with the first semi-final of the tournament being held in Perth on Tuesday when the Perth Scorchers host the Melbourne Stars in a repeat of the semi-final from last season.
Melbourne Stars won that semi last year although they had home advantage in the game but they have also won the regular season meeting between the two in Perth this season too which adds an interesting complexion to the match.
Perth Scorchers
A huge win in their final match sent Perth up to second in the table and as such they are able to host this semi-final. That should be a big thing for them because the conditions in Perth are different to anywhere else and with the match already sold out then the Scorchers are guaranteed to get plenty of support.
We saw the very best of the Perth Scorchers in Hobart. They bowled brilliantly as has been their make up since the invention of this tournament and then they batted with calmness and quality and you never once felt they were going to lose the game. Having got into a position where they couldn’t lose they then put the foot down to secure this home semi.
Melbourne Stars
The Melbourne Stars limped into the semi-finals in the end having at one stage looked like they were going to roar into them in top spot in the table. Two defeats in their last two matches have seen them drop to third which means that they go on the road in this semi and having only played on Saturday they won’t have been able to get to Perth too early either.
One of the reasons for the Stars’ recent demise has been their batting which just hasn’t fired as a collective. One positive from their last match will have been the return to form of Luke Wright but they are very top four weighted and if two of those are off form or get out early you do wonder whether the Stars have enough to get home.
Team News
Perth Scorchers have Shaun Marsh available for this match but he won’t be around for the final should they win due to an Australia call up. They have an unchanged squad for this match.
Melbourne Stars have been allowed to use Marcus Stoinis for this match as he has been released by the Australia squad. Dan Worrall is also in the squad. Sam Harper and Cameron Gannon miss out.
Betting
A lot was made about Melbourne Stars heading to Perth well in advance of the regular season game there to adjust to the time zone and things but they’ve not been able to do that here so it will be interesting to see what effect that has on their performance.
I’m with the Perth Scorchers here regardless of that. I’ve voiced my concerns in these previews about Melbourne Stars’ lack of batting depth a few times and you need depth when you take on this Scorchers attack.
Perth weren’t a million miles from getting themselves into a winning position from 34-5 in the regular season match between these two and it is hard to believe they will get into that position again. Perth have the greater bowling attack and their batting depth on top of that can lead them to the final.
Tips
WON – Back Perth Scorchers to beat Melbourne Stars for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Betfair
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