BBL07: Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers, 27th Match Preview
Form Guide This Season
Adelaide Strikers have won five out of their six matches and are currently sitting at the top of the points table with the best net run rate. They are heading into this match after two consecutive wins.
Perth Scorchers started the season as defending champions. They have won five out of their seven matches and are sitting in the second position on the points table. However, they are coming to this match after losing to Sydney Thunder.
Where
Adelaide Strikers are going to host Perth Scorchers for the 27th match of BBL07 at The Traeger Park, Alice Springs. This is going to be the first BBL match at this venue.
Team News and Squad Changes
Adelaide Strikers: There is one change in the squad of Adelaide Strikers. Their skipper Travis Head has been released from the squad to be a part of the Australian ODI side and a rookie all-rounder Daniel Drew has been included in the 13-man squad. In Travis Head's absence, Colin Ingram will be the interim captain for Strikers.
Perth Scorchers: Scorchers do not have any change in their squad, however, their captain Adam Voges is suspended for one match for slow over-rate in the last match against Sydney Thunder.
Possible Playing XI
For Adelaide Strikers, ideally, Jonathan Dean is expected to return to the playing XI as their middle order is not performing well. However, it depends on the team management if they want, the young all-rounder Daniel Drew might get his debut match tomorrow.
Probable Batting Order: Alex Carey(wk), Jake Weatherald, Colin Ingram(c), Jonathan Wells, Michael Neser, Jake Lehmann, Jonathan Dean/Daniel Drew, Rashid Khan, Peter Siddle, Ben Laughlin, Billy Stanlake
For Perth Scorchers, Tim David is expected to return to the playing XI in place of Adam Voges, as there is no other batsman in their declared squad.
Probable Batting Order: William Bosisto, Michael Klinger, Cameron Bancroft(wk), Hilton Cartwright, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Tim David, Tim Bresnan, Mitchell Johnson, Joel Paris, Matthew Kelly
What To Expect From The Match
This match is going to be a clash between two table toppers and whoever wins this match will get a guaranteed place in the semi-finals.
So far, Adelaide Strikers have been the most balanced side in BBL07. They have two batsmen (Alex Carey and Colin Ingram) in top 10 scorers and four bowlers (Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Billy Stanlake and Michael Neser) in top 10 wicket-takers. Despite all these stats, they have their own concerns as their opener Jake Weatherald and middle-order batsmen have not performed well.
Perth Scorchers have always been a bowling dominated side. Before the previous match, their bowlers had taken 39 wickets in 6 matches, out of which 28 wickets are taken by the trio of Andrew Tye (16 wickets), David Willey (7 wickets) and Jhye Richardson (5 wickets). They missed their bowling core in the last match where they lost to Sydney Thunder. However, there are some positives which they can take from their last match where Cameron Bancroft batted nicely and Matthew Kelly impressed with his bowling.
Players to Watch Out For
Colin Ingram: He got his form in last two matches and in absence of Travis Head, the onus will be on him to lead his side from the front, just like the way he bats.
Michael Klinger: The veteran campaigner of Scorchers is not enjoying a great season as he had only one fifty-plus score in the 6 matches he has played so far. His team needs his good contribution in the top order.
Announced Squads of both teams:
Adelaide Strikers
Colin Ingram (c), Alex Carey (wk), Jono Dean, Daniel Drew, Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O'Connor, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Jono Wells.
Perth Scorchers
Adam Voges, Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Will Bosisto, Tim Bresnan, Hilton Cartwright, Tim David, Mitchell Johnson, Matthew Kelly, Michael Klinger, Hayden Morton, Joel Paris, Ashton Turner.