Wayne Clark’s BBL Preview: Scorchers V Heat

Posted on January 4, 2019 | Posted by Wayne Clark

SCORCHERS v HEAT
Saturday 05 January 2019

With both teams languishing at the bottom of the ladder – Scorchers (1 win 4 losses) Heat (0-3); a win is vital if either team are to push for a finals berth later in the tournament. Each team needs a massive lift from their batting top order to achieve a victory on a wicket which one can assume will be quick and bouncy, if its anything like the first prepared in this series.

Chris Lynn was fantastic in his last innings (84runs, 55 balls), but this was the first score over 40 posted by one of the Heats top order batsmen. Young player, Max Bryant has shown real promise, but they have received very little from McCullum, Heazlett and Burns. With Matthew Renshaw and Alex Ross waiting in the wings a change or two may be on the cards.

Changes to the batting order may also be prevalent in the Scorchers line-up. Mitch Marsh returns which could place Michael Klinger (58 runs in 5hits) in doubt. Will Bosisto could open and they need to get Hilton Cartwright up the list. Willey is better suited down the order with Bancroft opening. Forget about left/right hand combinations and get your best players in.

Both bowling attacks will be licking their lips to bowl on a wicket that will provide plenty. Behrendorf, Coulter-Nile and Richardson were superb in the fixture against the Strikers at Optus in December. While it suits the Scorchers, don’t under estimate the Heat pace attack. James Pattinson, Brendan Doggett, Josh Lalor and Mark Steketee will cause early headaches as well. The whole contest will rely on which batting line up can preserve wickets in the early power play onslaught. Both line-ups look good on paper, but form makes it difficult to back either with confidence.

In making a selection I’ve played the home ground card. The Scorchers have experience on this wicket and this must be an advantage.

Scorchers to win!

Tips

Winner: Scorchers ($1.73)

Heat Most Runs: Joe Burns
Scorchers Most Runs: Hilton Cartwright

Heat Most Wickets: Ben Cutting
Scorchers Most Wickets: Jye Richardson

Odds correct as at 9am, 4th January 2019.