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[VIDEO] Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat highlights: Big Bash League live scores, blog

8th January, 2015
Perth Scorchers squad
Adam Voges (c), Ashton Agar, Yasir Arafat, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Michael Carberry, Matthew Dixon, Marcus Harris, Brad Hogg, Michael Klinger, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman.

Brisbane Heat squad
James Hopes (c), Ben Cutting, Ryan Duffield, Andrew Flintoff, Jason Floros, Peter Forrest, Cameron Gannon, Chris Lynn, Simon Milenko, Jimmy Pierson, Nathan Reardon, Mark Steketee, Dan Vettori

Time: 7:10pm (AEDT)
Venue: WACCA
TV: Ten Network
Perth $1.70, Brisbane $2.15
The Brisbane Heat were carried through the season on the back of Chris Lynn. (Image: Ten Play)
Roar Guru
8th January, 2015
59
3406 Reads

The Big Bash League is set for a fiery encounter as the Perth Scorchers take on the Brisbane Heat at the Furnace, Perth on Thursday evening. Join The Roar Sports from 7:10pm AEDT for live scores and commentary.

Whilst Perth have far from Scorched the Big Bash so far this campaign, Adam Voges’ side are in a decent position in the league table, just one place and two points off the top spot as they look to defend the crown they obtained in the 2013-2014 season in BBL03.

The playing staff may be almost unrecognisable – just four of those who played in the final are in the squad for this game – from last year’s success, but the Orange Army remains in optimistic spirits with three group games left to play.

The Heat, however, have been blowing more cold than hot this term. Just one victory from four games leaves little chance of reaching the semi-final stage, although this game in hand could give Brisbane the chance to rejoin the chasing pack.

Defeats from the last two games against Hobart and Adelaide have left James Hopes’ team rooted to the foot of the table, but with good history against the Scorchers – including victory to win the second tournament – the Heat could once again cause Perth’s own permutations a problem, whether or not they gain qualification themselves.

The hosts may have gained a win over the Strikers just two days ago, but consistency, or a lack of, has plagued the Scorchers thus far, a run they’ll need to address should the knockout stage beckons.

Consistency has far from escaped Jason Behrendorff though. The Perth seamer has an economy rate of 5.95 in the competition, a fantastic feat for the format, with nine wickets to his name to date, and will be key in stopping the likes of Brisbane’s Ben Cutting and Jimmy Pierson quiet, a tough deed given that they both have strike rates beyond 150 in their four games so far.

Part of Brisbane’s problems this year has been the absence of a bowler taking the number of wickets similar to Behrendorff, with Ryan Duffield topping their charts with just four wickets, with Andrew Flintoff and Cameron Gannon the next best with three.

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Prediction:
On paper the Scorchers, with the significantly higher table position as well as the home advantage, should walk this. The Heat however have the advantage of a better recent history between the two sides, but whether this will give the visitors a mental advantage is yet to be seen.

Whatever happens, a game between two former winners is sure to be another Big Bash cracker!

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