It will be a crucial encounter for both teams when Adelaide Strikers lock horns with Brisbane Heat at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Both sides are placed at the bottom half of the table but the difference in point between the top and the bottom half is so less that both teams are still in with a chance of making it to the playoffs.
If the Heat go on to win this match, they will jump straight to the fourth spot in the table but if they manage to win with a Bash Boost point, they can even make it to the second place. The Strikers, on the other hand, can make it as high as the fourth spot, including bash boost point, if they win this match.
Brisbane will need to address the issues they faced against spinners in the last match. Four of their 10 wickets fell to spinners, one of those four wickets went to Liam Livingstone — a part-time spinner. The bowlers disappointed as well in the last match, as they not only failed to pick up significant number of wickets but were expensive as well. They will need to ensure that they are disciplined in their bowling approach in this match. As far as their batting is considered, they need to be positive. It is a big boon for them that they won’t have to face Adelaide’s ace spinner Rashid Khan, who has departed to play for Afghanistan.
The Strikers encountered pretty much the same issue in the last match but they underwent a far worse batting collapse as they got bundled out for just 68 runs chasing 180. They failed to deal with the Melbourne Stars spinners as well, as the likes of Adam Zampa, Zahir Khan and Glenn Maxwell accounted for a total of nine wickets. The bowling, which is one of their strong points, was off in the last match as well. But that can be considered as a one-off. It’s their batting they need to focus on as they can’t afford another such batting collapse again.
Team News
Both sides have been boosted by the return of some players. While Travis Head and Michael Neser are back from the Australian squad for the Strikers, Brisbane also welcome Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Swepson.
Probable Playing XIs
Adelaide Strikers:
Philip Salt, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (C & WK), Jonathan Wells, Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Michael Neser, Daniel Worrall, Peter Siddle, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar.
Brisbane Heat:
Chris Lynn (c), Max Bryant, Joe Denly, Joe Burns, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Lewis Gregory, Marnus Labuschagne, Jack Wildermuth, Mark Steketee, Morne Morkel, Xavier Bartlett
Key Players
Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers)
The wicket-keeper batsman has been in good batting form for the Strikers as well. Carey is their highest run-getter in this season thus far, with 280 runs to his name at an average of 31.11. He brings solidity to their middle-order and plays the anchor role for his side as well.
Chris Lynn (Brisbane Heat)
The Heat skipper has been leading the side from the front with his batting efforts. He has exactly 300 runs to his name in this season, at an excellent average of 42.85. That includes three fifties as well and Brisbane will be hoping that he gets his fourth one here, as that will increase their chances of victory.