The second half of the Big Bash League double header on Wednesday sees the Perth Scorchers finally getting their season underway when they welcome the Brisbane Heat to the Optus Stadium in what is a big clash.
The Scorchers remain one of the best sides in Big Bash history and they set off in pursuit of another title when they take on the former champions Brisbane Heat who have already started their campaign with a defeat.
Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers were the beaten finalists last season so their motivation to go one better this term will be natural. I think it is fair to say that on paper at least they don’t look as strong squad wise, at least in the early stages of the tournament while the Australia A matches are taking place. One thing the Scorchers have been throughout the history of the Big Bash League is very strong at home, whether that is at Optus or at the WACA.
Usually it is the bowling which has been the strong suit of the Scorchers, and I would imagine in time in this competition that will be the case but it might be that they need their batters to come to the party and help them out a little here. Scorchers have seen the likes of Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone leave the club so a less potent batting order will go into battle for them. Conditions in Perth are different to anywhere else though and they know them better than anyone which is a real advantage.
Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat will be disappointed with their efforts in their opening match against the Sydney Thunder. They never really got going, albeit against a very good Thunder bowling performance, and fell below par with the bat. They battled hard with the ball but they never had enough runs on the board and once the Thunder had established a partnership they overcame the Heat in pretty ruthless fashion so there is pressure on Brisbane in this match.
If the Brisbane Heat are going to win this match then I would imagine they will need to offer more with the bat here. Ben Duckett and Sam Heazlett hit the ground running in the first game but they didn’t really play any big shots. Chris Lynn remains the gun in the side and if they are going to be successful then they could probably do with him coming good. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will be dangerous if the Heat can put up enough runs here.
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Team News
The Perth Scorchers will be without some key players here with Jhye Richardson in the Australia Test squad while Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis are away with the Australia A team. Tymal Mills is still completing his quarantine period but Ashton Agar is available. Laurie Evans is set for his debut.
Brisbane Heat might well go in with an unchanged side with Mitch Swepson away with the Australia side and Marnus Labuschagne also missing due to his involvement in the Test match. Michael Neser is another who is missing.
Betting
I always think that a side who hasn’t played a match is vulnerable to a team which has played one but with Brisbane Heat having to start the tournament on the road with The Gabba hosting the opening Ashes Test match, that disadvantage might not be quite so pronounced, especially when the Heat travel to Perth where conditions are so unique and so totally different to the ones they played on in. With that in mind I’m happy to leave the match betting alone and take one from the side markets.
That is for the Perth Scorchers to hit the most sixes at a pretty big price. The Heat only hit one six against the Sydney Thunder at a Manuka Oval which isn’t the biggest in the world. That six came from their number eight which suggests either a lack of preparation or a lack of intent from their batsmen. I don’t think the Perth Scorchers will have that issue. Unlike Brisbane, whose only natural six hitter is Chris Lynn, the Scorchers have a few clean hitters of the ball in Laurie Evans, Colin Munro, Ashton Turner and even someone down the order like Ashton Agar. Perth bowlers are never easy to get after so I like them to hit the most sixes here.
Tips
Back Perth Most 6s for a 3/10 stake at 2.80 with Betfair
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