BBL Tips and Previews, 11-12 January
Brisbane Heat vs. Perth Scorchers
January 11th
A trio of Australian Test stars could join the Brisbane Heat as they attempt to reinvigorate their BBL 12 campaigns against the Perth Scorchers tonight.
After falling to the Scorchers by seven wickets on Saturday, the Heat now has access to Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne & Matthew Renshaw for tonight’s return bout at the Gabba.
Khawaja & Labuschagne are significant inclusions for the seventh-placed (2-5) Heat as they replace overseas duo Colin Munro & Sam Billings. Munro had been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing season for the Heat, with 278 runs at 34.75.
On the other hand, the Scorchers are right in the thick of it once again, with four wins from their last five games and sitting in the second spot on the ladder.
Cam Bancroft delivered his best innings for the season on Saturday with 76 (48) at the top of the order, while Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner & Josh Inglis each have two half-centuries to their name.
With Ashton Agar likely to return following his Test appearance in Sydney, the Scorchers’ depth should again prove too strong in this one.
Suggested Bet:
Cameron Bancroft top Perth batsman at $3.60
Melbourne Stars vs. Adelaide Strikers
January 12th
The brutal top-order hitting of the Adelaide Strikers heads to Victoria on Thursday night when they take on the Melbourne Stars at the MCG.
The Strikers are in rare & dominant form with the willow. They’ve scored more than 200 in their past two matches, including a record-breaking run chase of 3/230 against the Hobart Hurricanes last week.
Chris Lynn leads all-comers with three consecutive half-centuries & a BBL 12 average of 49.12, while Matt Short is one spot behind him with 359 runs at 44.87.
The Stars will require early wickets if they are to have any chance of defeating the Strikers & turning their disappointing season around. It’s been another underwhelming display from the men in green, who have struggled to manufacture meaningful runs without injured skipper Glenn Maxwell.
They threatened to upset the Hurricanes on Monday night, claiming eight scalps before Hobart surpassed their total of 131 in the 18th over.
Liam Hatcher (3-25) struck form with the ball, while Hilton Cartwright found the boundary eight times in his team-high 57.
The Strikers are clearly the form batting side of the competition, with Lynn & Short showing no signs of slowing down. They should relish the vast expanses of the MCG.
