The first of the two Big Bash League matches on Sunday is not technically a dead rubber but it is going to take something remarkable for either the Adelaide Strikers or the Brisbane Heat to make it into the semi-final from here on in.
The two sides have played 24 matches this season and they have just nine wins and a no result between them which is why their campaigns are highly likely to end when the regular season is completed.
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Adelaide Strikers
The defending champions have not been able to get anything going this season. They have to win their last two matches and then pray they have done enough to make it into the final four. In fairness to them, they needed to win three on the spin and they started that run off with a fine victory over the table topping Hobart Hurricanes in their last match.
That ended a run of four games without a win and came at the right time. What was good about it was the fact that they played well with the bat. There is still a feeling that if they can put up above average totals with the bat they will have more than enough with the ball to get the job done. It might be that knowing they have to win and focused their minds too.
Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat also go into this match off the back of a win in their previous game. They saw off the Perth Scorchers to keep their incredibly feint hopes of making it to the next stage alive. Surprisingly it was their bowlers who won that match for them, although it was about time that particular unit came up with the goods having been quite ordinary thus far.
If they can win their final two matches and do it convincingly there is still a chance for them to make the semi-finals but if they are going to do that then their entire batting will need to perform to put up the kind of totals that are going to get their net run rate to where they require it to be. You get the feeling that the Heat’s win over Perth was just a stay of execution though.
Team News
The Strikers have Peter Siddle back in their ranks for this match after he wasn’t picked by Australia. He comes in for Billy Stanlake, who has found the going a little tough recently. Travis Head misses out as he is on international duty still.
Brisbane Heat have made a couple of changes to their squad with Mark Steketee and Mitch Swepson coming in for Brendan Doggett and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has left the competition early due to a family illness back home.
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Betting
I’m expecting something of a boundary feast here. Both teams have to win the match and could do with winning it big so I’m not expecting there to be any taking it easy in the batting element of the match. We know all about the short square boundaries here and both teams have their openers in good form to take care of the powerplay.
The boundaries line for this match is only 35.5 which I think is a little on the low side for this ground. I’m happy enough to play the over for this match given the batting that we have on show. If one player cuts loose it will only need bits and pieces around them in either innings to get to 36 boundaries. The last match here wasn’t high scoring yet there were 36 boundaries. I’m expecting the same or more here.
Tips
WON – Back Over 35.5 boundaries for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
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