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.
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!
art pagonis
Guest
If you are a West Australian, as I purport to be when it suits me (born in Brisbane), you do the following when watching the Scorchers in the Big Bash at the Furnace. • Go silent every time an opposition player hits a ball hard…anywhere. • Have an orgasm every time Michael Carberry or Adam Voges hits a sixer! • Have a double orgasm every time Hoggy takes a wicket. • Rush out the gates to get home and see the replay • Spend $200 bucks on you and your kids to get badly sunburned and badly fed and poorly hydrated • And still go home deliriously happy…or just plain delirious, whichever you prefer. Hands up who does the same every game of the Big Bash in your city. Okay, it’s unanimous! My point is…..on the day he has to pack up and go home, Michael Carberry learned to play Big Bash. Michael, hello???? I mean , what has taken you until today to go kapow???? Karrabunga!!! Alikazaaam!!! Michael…has anyone told you you have bigger biceps than Freddie. That you have the build of a bent-over, southpaw Mike Tyson with fat stick in hand. That you CAN BLOODY HIT ‘EM A MILE, SON!!!!!!! Michael..where has your head space been you old fart! You could be in the World Cup mate! No….I’m sorry, not for Australia..for those other lily-white negative bunch who wear a rose on their shirt mate. Mike, you only live once. Justin Langer told me that….or was it God? Same thing you say! Okay, let’s run with God’s theory. His theory is “If you think you can…then you bloody-well can!!!” Pardon the French. And today Michael…you thought you can….err could! And you did. You are now a fully fledged Big Basher. Welcome to the Club. 77, with 6 x 4’s and 6 x 6’s!!!! Took 37 balls. Game was over with 4 overs and 1 ball to play. YOU DID IT MICHAEL….YOU CAN DO IT SON!!!! That Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitch Marsh and Shaun Marsh will be back soon now that you are leaving should mean little to you. The Scorchers have become red hot favourites for the title again….and you are very much responsible for the team’s success. You made Sandgropers, that’s people from the biggest State in the Union (bigger than Texas, gosh darn it!), into believers. They thought that all their cricket kids were getting sand thrown in their face at the beach, and at the cricket! I mean Sam Whiteman, Ashton 1 and 2 look like refugees from a kids’ sandpit as it is. So having someone who can actually hit a ball off the square, besides Adam, who looks like he’s hitting golf balls off tees every time he bats, is a blessing. 20,000 WA Scorchers, and the 1 million watching on the flat screen, want you to come back any time Mike…any time! As long as you promise to do one thing…. Wherever you bat, anywhere in the world…..say to yourself before every ball……”I can do this….I did it in Perth” and never doubt your ability again! And come ready to play from ball 1. See ya mate….hope you get a call up to the World Cup….because you know you are better than all of them. Cheers. Footnote: Outside of the Australian Team, the WA Warriors/Perth Scorchers franchise is the best drilled outfit in the country. One only had to watch the pre-game warmup to understand. Stuart Law and his coaches leave too much to chance. JL’s mob don’t miss a trick. They drilled for 40 minutes pre-game on every facet of fielding and bowling like they mean it. Catches on the rope, long throws, short throws, high catches, low catches, ground balls right, left and centre. The Heat were frozen stiff. 6/76 in 16 overs…and the Scorchers knew in their heads that Freddie and Dan Vettori had self doubt and would be smashable when the Red Hots batted. That Nathan Reardon was the only one who could hurt them (52 in 40 with 2 zacs and 4 fours)…and that they would make the run chase BY NOT LOSING WICKETS IN BUNCHES. I’ll say it again. Justin Langer is not a Coach. HE IS THE MANAGER OF THE WA WARRIORS/PERTH SCORCHERS FRANCHISE, the closest thing to a Major League Baseball Manager that I have seen…AND IF HE GETS ALL HIS PLAYERS IN THE SLOT FOR THE REMAINING BIG BASH AND SHEFFIELD SHIELD GAMES….WA WILL WIN ALL 3 COMPETITIONS IN 2015….and that might just be the biggest story in Cricket this year!!!! NB. Behrendorff 2/28 from 4, Hogg 2/14 in 4, Ashton Agar 1/23 in 4, Ashton Turner 1/6 in 1. Voges 36 * I think. Scorchers best defensive bowling and fielding team in the world of T20 cricket...outside International Teams.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Let's not forget Hoggy & Behrendorff's efforts- superb!
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Thanks Ross
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Apologies for the technical errors which plagued the commentary from as far back as the Heat innings - will try and rectify that for next time. Until then, thanks for joining me.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Michael Carberry the hero with an unbeaten 77 as the Scorchers cruise home with more than four overs to spare. Let's not forget the contribution of Adam Voges (35 from 37 balls), with the two putting on an unbeaten 114 after a difficult start to the chase.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
PERTH SCORCHERS BEAT BRISBANE HEAT BY EIGHT WICKETS
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
I'd have Hogg & Behrendorff in my World Cup team, any day of the week!
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
100 partnership up now, with just 10 runs left for Perth to win.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Six more for Carberry, and Scorchers are all but home.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Flintoff comes on, and gets immediately carted for two maximums by compatriot Carberry, who also gets a four to bring up his half-century from just 24 balls. Match-winning display from a man who didn't even make England's provisional World Cup squad. 2/106 after 13, chasing 135.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
End of Over 12: Seven from the 12th, nothing startling, but more than enough for the Scorchers in terms of what they need. 2/88
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
It's a cliche, but the Perth Scorchers may have just landed the One Big Over they need to win this match. Voges begins with a four past short fine-leg, before Carberry takes to the stage with two fours and a big six to reduce the equation to 54 off 54 needed for the home side. 20 runs came from that over.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
End of Over 10: 1 . 1 2b 1 4 (Daniel Vettori) The Orange Army cheerleaders are in full swing as Michael Carberry gets his first boundary (to add to the six earlier), whipping Vettori off his toes to the leg-side. Halfway through, and Strikers are in decent position for a late push. 2/61 after 10, chasing 135
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
End of Over 9: 2 . . 1 1lb 1 (Ben Cutting) The Scorchers bring up their fifty, crucially with only two wickets down as they continue to milk Cutting. Wickets needed fast for the Heat. 2/52 after 9, chasing 135.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
End of Over 8: wd 1 1 1 . 2 6 (Mark Steketee) It seems set to be another over of ones and twos, but Michael Carberry wants no more with a booming, yet graceful, six over long-off to move himself to double figures. 2/49 after 8, chasing 135.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Not sure where Over 6 went, there. Vettori bowled it and conceded five through singles and a two.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
End of Over 7: 4 1 . 1 1 . Four from the first ball of the 7th over gets Voges motoring as the Scorchers look to inch towards their target. Seven from the over altogether. 2/35, chasing 135.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
End of Over 5: . 1 1 1 wd . W I hope you're noticing a theme here. Yet another disciplined over from Duffield, this time... WICKET: He's rewarded with a scalp! Klinger goes. Flintoff takes the catch at first slip from an edge. Michael Carberry next in. 2/23 after 5, chasing 135.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
End of Over 4: . . 1 1 . 1 (Daniel Vettori) Vettori's turn to have a trundle, with the New Zealander continuing the tidy start thus far, with three from the over. 1/19 after 4, chasing 135
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
End of Over 3: . W 1 . . 4 (Ben Cutting) What looks to be an excellent over for the bowling side is tinged with a boundary from Klinger from the last ball. Heat giving themselves a fighting chance here with just five from that over. 1/16 after 3, chasing 135.