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.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That's it from me for now, but there's a second game today, with the Renegades taking on the Sixers in a must-win encounter. Will be back with the live coverage of that one in less than three hours from now on.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The Strikers are going out, they are left with five points from seven games, which means they can get at most to seven. Seven points may not be enough to carry them through, especially given how poor their net run-rate is. The Heat have six points from seven matches, which means they need to win their last game to make it difficult for the Hurricanes and the Renegades.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Gone, bowled him, the Strikers have been bowled out for 97! Harris sends a full length ball which the number 11, Tait, misses and is castled. Second time they haven't got to 100, have lost their six wickets for 20 runs!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Gannon has moved up to 15 wickets in the tournament, which is three more than the next best. Jackson Bird is second, along side Yasir Arafat, with 12.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And now Richardson is gone, Gannon has his third! Had no option but to try and clear the straight boundary to that full length delivery... ...instead he's hit it straight to the fielder at long-on and they have lost nine. 35 needed from 13, with a wicket remaining.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Gone, Reardon goes, holed out to long-on! That should be it then? Yorker-length ball and he has smacked one straight down the throat of the fielder, who takes it comfortably... ...Gannon gets his second. 38 needed from 17.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And another excellent over that, this time from Cutting, just five from it. 0/9 in 2. 7/92 in 17. 38 needed from 18.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Reardon is continuing to fight here, flicked away for a couple of runs. And then he crashes one straight and it's hit the stumps hard and back to the bowler, for no runs. 39 needed from 20.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Gone, Neser's holed out to deep square-leg! Was a short, slower one and Neser wanted to smack it over the leg-side for a six, instead, finds a fielder there. Interestingly, that's how he had got his first wicket earlier today, pulling a poor ball to mid-wicket. 7/87 in 16, 43 needed from 24
Lance
Guest
The comertators for this game are a disgarse. Running down players out there doing it and a workman that was helping out by throwing ball back. It's not like they were going to leave there air con box to get it. Pull ya heads in.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Couple of couples for Neser to start things off for him. 45 needed from 27.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Cameron Gannon has his first bowl for the afternoon now. Single first ball to mid-wicket. Neser is the new man in. 49 needed from 29.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Bowled him! Harris has sent back Botha... ...the previous ball was a bouncer that Botha wanted to leave alone but gets hit on his ribs before a yorker-length delivery knocks his timber back. A few choice words on his follow-through too! Gone for a duck. Six down. Need 50 from 31.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Johan Botha comes in now. Ryan Harris will bowl his third and he starts off with Reardon edging one to fine third-man for a couple. Next ball, he squeezes one to mid-wicket. 5/79 in 14.2
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Edged and dropped! It was outside the off from Hopes and Reardon was looking to drive it away from his body... ...manages only to get an edge on it, wide off the keeper, with Kieswetter looking to go for the catch with both hands. He fails to hold on to it! But a couple of balls later, its Ludeman who's edged one from Hopes and Kieswetter has held on to it! A drop followed by a catch for Kieswetter. 5/77 in 14, 53 needed from 36. Nine an over.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Hopes is finishing off here. A single tucked down to deep square-leg for Reardon. 4/71 in 13.1
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Above waist high no-ball which has been caressed to wide third-man for a couple... ...which means they have a Free Hit coming up. And it turns out to be the best ball of the over which Ludeman fails to get any bat on. 16 from it, still need 60 from 42 here. This stand's worth 39, which has brought the Strikers back.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Here you go! And so does Ludeman... ...another jump down the pitch and slog across the line for a six. Hit right off the middle of the bat and goes the distance! 4/65 in 12.3
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Something had to break here and Reardon has managed to skim down and crash it over mid-off to Steketee... ...follows it up with a single next ball. Need the run-scoring to continue this over. 4/59 in 12.2
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And another good over. It's really difficult scoring off Hopes, isn't it, just four from his third over. 4/54 in 12. 76 needed from 48.