2017-18 Big Bash League – Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers Preview

When? Thursday, 25^th January

Where? WACA Ground

Weather? Overcast conditions expected in Perth but no rain with temperatures of around 22-24c

What channel is it on? Channel TEN in Australia & BT Sport 2 in the UK

Are tickets still available? http://www.perthscorchers.com....

Where can I stream the match? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match online via the BT Sport website

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Last five meetings: Perth Scorchers W3, Adelaide Strikers W2
All-time meetings: Perth Scorchers W6, Adelaide Strikers W5

PERTH SCORCHERS

Coach: Justin Langer

Captain: Adam Voges

• The Scorchers come into this with their semi-final place assured but they will be keen to win here and finish above the Strikers to ensure top spot which would ultimately mean they would play the final at home if they were to progress that far.
• They welcome fast bowler Jhye Richardson back into their 13-man squad after he was released from national team duties and he replaces Jason Behrendorff in what is a significant boost to their already fearsome bowling attack.
• Shaun Marsh remains unavailable due to injury while Paris drops out of the squad with injury so Tim David also comes back in and the Scorchers will be keen to repeat their performance in the reverse fixture against the Strikers when they bowled them out for 112 two weeks ago and won by six wickets.

ADELAIDE STRIKERS

Coach: Jason Gillespie

Captain: Colin Ingram

• Like their opponents here, the Strikers have clinched their semi-final place and home advantage in that game, but will be keen to finish top ahead of the Scorchers with the target of playing the final in Adelaide.
• They will have to do without captain Travis Head who returns to national team duty with the Australian ODI team while they have decided to rest veteran pace bowler Peter Siddle for this game ahead of the semi-finals so they are weakened for this match without the two key men as Wes Agar and Kelvin Smith come into the 13-man squad.
• Colin Ingram steps up to lead the team once again in Head’s absence and the reliance on his batting will be even greater without Head in the team and they were previously exposed by the Scorchers’ bowling attack last time they met.

PREDICTION
The best two teams in BBL07 face off here in what could be a prelude to the final. Both teams are missing players due to international commitments, but it is the Scorchers who have the greater strength in depth which is even more evident by the Strikers’ decision to rest Peter Siddle. They may also have the psychological edge having hammered the Strikers two weeks ago and they have to be favoured on home turf here once again with the better bowling attack.