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BBL10 | Preview: Heat face Strikers in the make or break game for both sides

Abhishek Singh

It is going to be a big day for both the Brisbane Heat as well as the Adelaide Strikers, both of whom, for now, occupy the third and second last positions in the league table respectively. With Melbourne Renegades' win over the Stars, the door which was just ajar for these two teams have now been opened slightly more and it now depends on their own skills and ability to win if they want to make it to the Playoffs. 

Both these teams have lost their last encounters and hence calling one better than the other would not be right as only one point separates the two in the points table as well. But all that would mean nothing when the two teams face each other in a high voltage clash at the Adelaide Oval. 

Strikers try to cash-in home advantage

Although it hasn’t really been a great home season for the Strikers with three wins and two losses in five previous games of the BBL 2020-21, the team would still like to believe that home advantage would work in their favour, especially in a pressure game as they know the ground inside out. The fact that they have either won it big or even when they lost, it wasn’t because they played really well, rather because the opposition was far superior on that day.

With Travis Head, the captain back in the side and Alex Carey, the former captain and current deputy in sizzling form, the fans, and even the team would be hoping to tighten the screws on the Heat bowling and get runs on the board to try and defend with the bowling of Wes Agar, Danny Briggs, and a fitter Peter Siddle. 

Heat must play as if they have 'nothing to lose'

The Brisbane Heat have now lost too many close matches to be afraid of losing any more. The only way out for Chris Lynn and his men would be to go for the kill without caring for the result. They must take lessons from their previous game against Scorchers where they messed up a fairly easy chase. Players like Marnus Labuschagne and most importantly spinner Mictdhell Swespon would be back for the Heat and they would make the Playing XI without any doubt. 

It is with these players alongside the already present Joe Denly, Joe Burns, Lewis Gregory, and Morne Morkel that the team needs to bank on to get them through the toughest test that they face this season so far. 

Strikers vs Heat: Match Details

Match Number- 46

Date and Time- Jan 21, 2021, 1:45:00 pm IST, 06.45 pm Local, 08.15 am GMT

Venue- Adelaide Oval

Broadcast- Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network

Pitch Report

The pitch in Adelaide has been on a slower side as compared to Perth or an MCG or for Hobart or Carrara. But along with it, it offers true bounce too, so if a batsman is in touch, there shouldn’t be a problem in scoring runs. But the fact that you can’t start slogging right from the ball go must also be adhered to. One must get their eye in to utilize the pitch to the fullest. 

Weather and Bat Flip

With no chances of rain whatsoever and the temperature also remaining favourable for playing cricket, the captain winning the toss would like to have a target to chase. But this is pressure and in pressure games, there is nothing better than a few runs on the board. Hence in this situation, it might not be a bad option to lose the toss. But whoever wins, will have a really tough decision to make. 

Strikers Strongest XI

Alex Carey (c & wk), Matt Renshaw, Jonathan Wells, Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Ryan Gibson, Michael Neser, Daniel Worrall, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar, Liam O Connor

Heat Strongest XI

Chris Lynn (c), Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Denly, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Lewis Gregory, James Bazley, Jack Wildermuth, Mark Steketee, Morne Morkel, Mitchell Swepson

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