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The 26th game of the Big Bash League this season will see the Adelaide Strikers taking on the Brisbane Heat and you can follow the blog live from 1.45 pm AEDT.
The Strikers are coming off a heart-breaking defeat to the Perth Scorchers, one that saw them go down off the last ball, when they needed a six. It was a high-scoring encounter that saw the Scorchers get to 203 and the Strikers fall just four short.
It must be said the Strikers did a lot of things right in that encounter, from bowling well to most opposition batsmen to fight hard while chasing such an enormous score.
It turned out to be a one-man show from the opposition though, with Craig Simmons breaking the BBL record for the quickest century, with the Strikers having no answers to his onslaught, at least till very late in the innings.
Coincidentally, the Heat are also coming off a defeat that saw them push the table-toppers Melbourne Stars to the very last ball.
A Daniel Christian half-century pulled them through to 144 in their 20 overs at the Gabba, before they fought hard to come back into the game after an initial blast from the duo of Luke Wright and Matthew Wade.
From needing 65 off the last 10 overs, the Stars were pegged back by captain James Hopes, and at one stage the Stars almost looked out of the game as they looked to get 30 from the last three.
A scurrying six off the fourth ball of the last over sealed the deal for the Stars.
The Strikers, after their defeat to the Scorchers, are on five points with a couple to play. The Heat have played an equal number and are on a point less.
What this means is that it’s a must-win game for both teams. While a win won’t guarantee anything, a defeat for either side will ensure they are knocked out of the competition, making them the second team behind the Thunder to crash out.
The Heat will enter the game without Christian in their line-up after his call-up to the Australian squad. Of course, what should help is Ryan Harris’ presence, who has overcome his niggles enough to feature in this one.
It also remains to be seen whether Daniel Vettori can return to full fitness and bolster the Heat’s bowling attack.
Michael Klinger has been declared fit for this game after missing out the previous one, which should further bolster the Strikers’ batting.
With Phil Hughes hitting some form in the previous game and the likes of Alex Hales, Jono Dean and Nathan Reardon chipping in with vital knocks, their batting confidence would already be high. Klinger’s addition makes it tougher for the opposition.
Captain Johan Botha did not have a great return to the side, as he went for 47 in his four. With Shakib al Hasan waiting in the ranks, will Botha look to relinquish his place for the Bangladeshi all-rounder?
Join us for the Strikers v Heat match in the Big Bash League 2013-14 on Saturday and you can follow the live score of this game from 1.45 pm AEDT and post your comments below.
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