Brisbane Heat
Likely XI: Chris Lynn, Max Bryant, Ben Duckett, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Wildermuth, James Bazley, Xavier Bartlett, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Matt Kuhnemann, Liam Guthrie
It was an all too similar tale for the Heat in their seven wicket loss to the Thunder on Monday night. An early batting collapse saw openers Max Bryant and Chris Lynn dismissed for single figures, with a late cameo from tailender Xavier Bartlett (26* off 18) seeing them get to a semi defendable score of 8/140.
Despite early wickets from Liam Guthrie and Xavier Bartlett, the inexperienced Heat bowling attack offered very little as Alex Ross (61* off 46) and Sam Billings (44* off 36) cruised to the target with seventeen balls to spare. Three of the Heat’s six bowlers used on Monday night went at over ten runs per over, and teams will continue to target their young bowling attack.
Although Ben Duckett (46) and Sam Heazlett (42) scored runs through the middle order, the Heat innings stagnated around them, as they struggled to extend the run rate much greater than a run a ball. It’s clear to see with this Heat side, if they don’t get runs in the powerplay, they’re going to struggle to put together winning scores.
Match Prediction
The Scorchers are favourites coming into this clash, and rightfully so after what the Heat served up on Monday night in Canberra. The Scorchers have won four of their last five matches against the Heat, and have restricted the Heat to 150 or less in three of those five matches.
The Scorchers have excellent variety in their bowling attack, and with AJ Tye (21 wickets) and Jason Behrendorff (16 wickets) coming off strong campaigns last season, the Heat are going to have a tough time making a competitive score at Optus Stadium.
Chris Lynn has only passed 27 once in his last four matches against the Scorchers, and as was seen against the Thunder, the Heat are going to struggle if he doesn’t put up big scores.
The Scorchers have been a model of consistency across the history of the BBL, and this season won’t be any different. The Heat just don’t have the depth to match it with the Scorchers, and at home, Perth will be far too strong.
Same Game Multi
Kiwi import Colin Munro had an excellent debut season in the Big Bash, scoring 443 runs at an average of 31 to be the tournament’s fifth highest run scorer. Munro passed the 30 run mark in seven of his last ten innings in BBL10, including a streak of four half centuries in five games. Munro averages 1.3 sixes per game and has also hit at least one six in 50% of his games for the Scorchers, providing excellent value in this market.
To round out the multi, we’ve got Chris Lynn to hit a six. Lynn has hit the most sixes in the history of the BBL with 172, a mammoth 75 more than the nearest player. The Heat skipper averages 1.6 sixes per game, and has hit at least one six in 67% of his matches since BBL07.
Colin Munro to score 20+ runs
Colin Munro to hit a six
Chris Lynn to hit a six
SCO vs HEA Same Game Multi
$3.25
