BBL13 action continues on Saturday night as the Adelaide Strikers take on the Brisbane Heat from 7.15pm AEDT.
As always, we have you covered with a full game preview and free BBL13 betting tips for the clash from Adelaide Oval below. Good luck to everyone following!
BBL13 Betting Tips
Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers
Adelaide Oval, Saturday 8th December, 7.15pm (AEDT)
Brisbane Heat
The Heat got their BBL13 season off to a hot start on Thursday night as they downed the Melbourne Stars at home in the kickoff game. Batting first, the plundered 3/214 off their 20 overs with hard hitting opener Colin Munro staring with 99*. Test stars Marnus Labuschagne (30) and USman Khawaja (28) also chipped in with valuable innings.
With the ball, the Heat were able to bowl out the Stars in just 15.1 overs for 111 as leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson claimed 3/23 off his 3.1 overs. Xavier Bartlett and Michael Neser chipped in with two wickets each, Bartlett going at an impressive 2.66 economy rate.
The Heat could see some changes to their XI for the clash in Adelaide given both Khawaja and Labuschagne will be in the team for the 1st Team against Pakistan on the 14th. They are currently listed as possible to play, and Steve Smith has been cleared to play for the Sixers on Friday night, so I’m predicting they both suit up on Saturday.
Predicted XI: Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Billings, Max Bryant, Paul Walter, Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann
Adelaide Strikers
The Strikers will kick off their campaign on Saturday night and should blood some new recruits in the opening game of the season. D’Arcy Short has made his way over from the Hurricanes, while Brendan Doggett, James Bazley and David Payne have also relocated from different BBL teams. England Test player Jamie Overton will also serve as one of the Strikers international players and should contribute with bat and ball.
On the way out for the Strikers is veteran Peter Siddle as well as Harry Conway, Ryan Gibson and Kiwi Colin de Grandhomme. While still contracted, inarguably the biggest loss for the Strikers season is star spinner Rashid Khan, who has been ruled out through injury.
Travis Head and Alex Carey have both been ruled out for the Strikers season opener on Saturday night, meaning we’ll get a good look at a bunch of their new names.
Predicted XI: Matt Short, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Adam Hose, Tom Kelly, Jamie Overton, Harry Nielson, Ben Manenti, Wes Agar, Henry Thornton, David Payne
Betting Tips
The Heat have started the season in hot fashion but it’ll be a tough turn around for them just 48 hours after completing their season opener. The Strikers won their opening two games of the season at home last year, knocking off the Thunder and Sixers who both went on to make the finals.
Despite their weakened line-up without Rashid, Carey and Head, I still think they are great value at home against what should be a tired Heat side.
Adelaide Strikers to win
$2.10 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi
Matthew Short is taking up the responsibility as skipper and key batsman in this Strikers side As such, I think he might quell his risk taking just a bit in the opening overs to set a base for his innings.
As for Billings, I liked seeing him up the order a bit at No.4 in the Heat’s opening game on Thursday night. Thought he was wasted at five or six over the last few seasons and should relish the extra opportunity.
Matthew Short 20+ Runs
Sam Billings 20+ Runs
