Just over a week has passed since the Heat beat the Sixers on the 22nd of December, getting their season back on track thanks to a stellar knock from Chris Lynn. A win for the Heat will put them right back into the top 5 mix whilst the Scorchers are desperate for a win after dropping to 1-4 following disappointing losses to the Strikers and the Sixers. It will be the Scorchers first game at Metricon, whilst the Heat will play their second and last game there this season after losing to the Stars at Metricon earlier in the season. The Heat hold a 6-5 head to head record over the Scorchers.
The Heat have been dealt a massive blow at the selection table, with Mitch Swepson out of the squad after being called into the Test squad for the New Year’s Test in Sydney, however they will get Tom Banton back after he missed the Heat’s last match with a virus. The Scorchers come into the clash with an unchanged squad from their last match against the Sixers on Boxing Day.
Brisbane Heat Squad (13): Chris Lynn (c), Tom Banton, Max Bryant, Ben Cutting, Matthew Kuhnemann, Sam Heazlett, Josh Lalor, Ben Laughlin, James Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Zahir Khan, Jack Prestwidge
Perth Scorchers Squad (13): Mitch Marsh, Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Cameron Bancroft, Tim David, Cameron Green, Joshua Inglis, Chris Jordan, Matthew Kelly, Liam Livingstone, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
Heat vs Scorcher Betting Tips
Brisbane Heat
The Heat come into the clash after a crucial win against the Sixers where Chris Lynn finally performed smashing 94 from 35 deliveries as the Heat’s batting line up lived up to its potential. The match showed the blueprint for the Heat, if they can get one batsmen to get going, they’re going to post massive totals. Mitch Swepson’s absence is going to put a lot of pressure on import Zahir Khan who has been impressive with an economy rate of 6.66 across the first three games, can he continue this form as the lead spinner?
Matthew Renshaw has been the biggest surprise package of BBL09 scoring 125 runs at an average of 62.50 with a strike rate of 134, this impressive start had Renshaw leading the league in runs after his last match. At number four Renshaw has been vital for the Heat with scores of 26, 39 and 60* not many would have seen this coming from a player well known for his slow, red ball style of batting. Renshaw got starts against the Scorchers in BBL08 with scores of 15 and 18, with the form he’s in, he’s ready to explode against the Scorchers. An excellent value choice to be the Heat’s leading run scorer.
Renshaw Top BRI Batsman
$6.50
Perth Scorchers
The Scorchers have slumped into another disappointing season for a franchise that is so used to winning. Mitch Marsh (119 runs) and Liam Livingstone (100 runs) have shown some glimpses of brilliance, but lacked consistency required to be an elite team in the competition. Outside of Marsh and Livingstone the Scorcher batting has been atrocious highlighted in their two outings against the Sixers where they were bowled out for 131 and 126. The bowlers have struggled as well, giving up scores of 137 (in 15 overs), 185, 198 (in 18 overs) and 174. Their average economy rate their bowlers have given up has been 9.52 runs per over, the worst in the league. Chris Jordan has been reliable with the ball however the Scorchers should be worried facing a dynamic batting line up.
The Scorchers most reliable bowler this season has been import Chris Jordan with 7 wickets at an average of 17, with an economy rate of 8. That economy rate is quite impressive given the amount of overs he bowls at the death on the batting friendly surface at Optus Stadium. The overs at the death also give him plenty of opportunities to pick up wickets when the batsmen are trying to hit big every ball. Given the lack of form from the rest of the Scorchers bowling attack, Jordan is a great choice as the Scorchers leading wicket taker.
Jordan Top PER Wicket Taker
$3.50
Prediction
The Heat come into the fixture with plenty of confidence after smashing the Sixers in their last outing, the Scorchers on the other hand come into the fixture on a two game losing streak. The Heat have had a ten day break since their last game so there will be fresh coming into the match. This match up looks heavily favourable for the Heat with their strong batting line up facing an uneconomical bowling attack. The Scorchers have never played at Metricon Stadium, so the Heat will have a handy home ground advantage. This match could get ugly for the Scorchers if their bowlers continue the way they have this season.
