The Brisbane Heat are looking to get off the bottom of the table when they face the Adelaide Strikers, who want to secure top place. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
When the Strikers staff and players sat down to analyse their opposition in the days building up to this game, they probably spent the majority of their time on one player, Chris Lynn.
Lynn currently sits atop of the Big Bash run scorers’ chart, with an incredible 287 runs at an equally incredible strike rate of 175.
He has been the best player in the tournament, his contribution made all the more emphatic when compared to his teammates – Jimmy Peirson’s pawltry tally of 90 runs in the tournament has him second to Lynn on the Heat’s run-scoring list
Having taken wickets freely throughout the tournament the Strikers, will be confident if they get Lynn early they will overcome Brisbane’s batting.
Adil Rashid, with 10 wickets, has been the most consistent bowler for Adelaide, with fellow leg-spinner Cameron Boyce taking a wicket every two overs on average. Rashid’s bowling means the Strikers are a constant threat in the middle overs, but the death bowling expertise of Ben Laughlin – who has seven wickets in the tournament – means they are able to close out a game like few other sides.
For their part, the Heat have struggled with the ball. Their leading wicket-taker, Andrew Fekete, has a modest four wickets, though it should be noted that in almost comical fashion, Fekete has not been selected for the Heat’s last two games.
Perhaps the one bright spark for their bowling has been Samuel Badree. With only one wicket in 20 overs, Badree has not been tearing teams apart with his leg-breaks, but his miserly economy rate of 6.80 suggests batsmen have simply negotiated his overs, before cashing in on the other bowlers. Once Badree gets some support, we may see his best.
The Strikers have largely relied on their middle order for their runs, with Brad Hodge and Travis Head both averaging over fifty. But a new-look opening partnership of Jayawardene and Tim Ludeman in their previous game also offered them success upfront, the duo adding 84 against the formidable Scorchers bowling unit.
Prediction
The Strikers look capable of beating any opposition, while the Heat also look likely to lose to any opposition. Nothing is a certainty in Twenty20 cricket, but a Strikers victory is very likely.
Dylan Matthews
Roar Guru
Up the Strikers
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The Heat seamers simply aren't good enough for the pitch they play on that so well aids pace bowling.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
The Heat probably thought they were a good chance when their batters set a target of 175. But the sheer strength of the Strikers batting line up along with some sloppy fielding from the Heat means the visitors end up clinching the game in a relatively comfortable fashion. Jayawardena and Head both blasted fifties in the Strikers chase. Jawayardena hitting three sixes and Head four. They both played with great freedom. Freedom they were largely granted due to the solidarity of Ludeman at the other end. Ludeman was not as explosive as his batting partners were, nor did he score as freely as he often does at his best. But he kept the strike ticking over, never eating up too many dots. He finished deservedly unbeaten on 57. The Heat bowlers did show some resistance. Lalor and Cutting bowled a few good overs while Badree continued to show his class,, taking 1/25 off his four overs. But they were not supported by their fielders who missed several chances to take wickets, dropping catches and missing run outs. Had they been sharper in the field, they may have even snared a victory. The Heat have at least improved with their batting. Lynn only mustered 34 today, still a decent score but he for once was overshadowed by another batter, in this case Jimmy Peirson. Peirson showed his potential to become a destructive opener at the top of the order, making 51 off 36 deliveries against a good bowling line up. Nathan Reardon also played well, making an unbeaten 40, but the Heat could have had more had it not been for the bowling expertise of Adil Rashid. Now the leading wicket taker of the competition Rashid bowled with good control, using his variations very effectively and ending with 2/17. Another loss for the Heat keeps them at the foot of the table, but that win for the Strikers moves them back to the top of the table. They now seem the team to beat in this seasons Big Bash.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Hodge wins the game in emphatic fashion my squaring up and muscling a pull down the ground for four.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Hodge crunches a four down the ground as Cutting misses his yorker length but finds the middle of Hodges bat. Scores are level.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Only singles came from that over, but the fact they came from every legitimate delivery and Lalor also delivered four wides means that the Strikers pick up nine from the over. Ludeman and Hodge aren't really looking for boundaries now, they don't need them. OVER ADELAIDE STRIKERS: 2/169 (18th) (Chasing 176)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Cutting got the breakthrough for the Heat there, but it has most likely come too late as Head had already torn the Heat line up to shreds. OVER ADELAIDE STRIKERS: 2/160 (17th) (Chasing 176)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Hodge is off the mark first ball, nudging a short ball down into the leg side for a single.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Brad Hodge is now in.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
WICKET Head caught long on 50 An explosive innings comes to an end as Cutting adjusts well from the previous ball, dragging his length back and getting Head to haul out into the deep with a similar shot to the one that got him his six. Head only faced 25 deliveries and advanced things brilliantly for his team just as some pressure was starting to mount.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
SIX Every ball seems to find the midle of Head's bat as he brings up his FIFTY by crunching a full ball over Cutting's head for six.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Travis Head is in incredible touch, he has had some lucky in his innings but is timing his shots brilliantly now. Lalor has been pretty good today and probably hasn't had the luck he deserved, he still has the one over remaining. OVER ADELAIDE STRIKERS: 1/150 (16th) (Chasing 176)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Some great fielding on the rope by Simmons denies Head another four.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
What a crisp sound that made off the bat as Head crunches a pull shot over mid wicket for four more.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Another tough over for Fekete as Head took him apart there, clobbering three sixes of the over. Fekete has now conceded 40 off his two overs. That over also puts the Strikers in a superb position to win this game. OVER ADELAIDE STRIKERS: 1/138 (15th) (Chasing 176)
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
SIX The very next ball Head hoists a ball off his pads, high in the air and over the rope. Head is generating incredible power with his strokeplay.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
SIX Head has so much power as he blasts a pull shot well over the square leg fence for six.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Ludeman gets a single to bring up his FIFTY. Not the most fluid innings from the keeper, but he has read the game well and is playing a key role in this chase.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
RUN OUT APPEAL Ludeman is just safe after a mix up, the throw from Lalor sticking in the turf and making it tough for Peirson to take the bails off quickly, another missed chance for the Heat though Lalor did move well to create the chance.
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
SIX Head clears the front leg and slices Fekete over the cover fence for a great six.