A clash bearing major finals implications as the Strikers can move up to second with a victory, whilst a win for the Scorchers will make it nearly impossible for them to miss out on the finals. The Scorchers come into the clash after a dominant eight wicket victory against the Thunder on Monday night. The Strikers are peaking at the right time of the season with three consecutive victories including a statement win against the Stars on Wednesday in Adelaide. The Strikers have beaten the Stars twice now, making them a legitimate title contender.
The Scorchers get a massive boost as they get back Ashton Turner and Ashton Agar from Australian duties, youngster Cameron Green and Liam Guthrie have been omitted from the thirteen man squad that beat the Thunder on Monday. The Strikers have made no changes to the side that beat the Stars by 11 runs on Wednesday. The Strikers and Scorchers meet for the second time this season, the Strikers won by 15 runs (DLS) in the opening week of the season in a high scoring thriller at the Adelaide Oval. The Scorchers hold an 8-7 head to head advantage against the Strikers, history says these sides tend to streak against each other. The Strikers have won the last two games against the Scorchers, however the Scorchers won the four matches against the Strikers prior.
Perth Scorchers Squad (13): Mitch Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmed, Cameron Bancroft, Tim David, Joshua Inglis, Chris Jordan, Matthew Kelly, Liam Livingstone, Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
Adelaide Strikers Squad (13): Travis Head (c), Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Rashid Khan, Michael Neser, Liam O’Connor, Phil Salt, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells
Scorchers vs Strikers Betting Tips
Perth Scorchers
The Scorchers are coming off a big win against the Thunder as Liam Livingstone (78 off 49 balls) and Josh Inglis (58 off 41 balls) got the job done again for the Scorchers. The dynamic duo continued on their dynamic way to an impressive 136-run partnership, the second highest in the 2019-20 KFC Big Bash League that lead the Scorchers to victory. The middle order of the Scorchers have been inconsistent, but the opening partnership of Livingstone and Inglis have been lethal. The Scorchers bowling attack has surprised many the season with three bowlers ranked inside the top six for the most wickets in the competition this season. Chris Jordan, Fawad Ahmed and Jye Richardson are all tied with 14 wickets this season. The Scorchers economical bowling has been one of its biggest strengths, with no bowler having an average economy over 9.33. Only four sides in the competition posses a bowling attack with no players conceding over 9.33 runs an over.
Mitch Marsh has vaulted himself into the discussion for a place in the Australian squad in this year’s T20 World Cup. As skipper this season Marsh has scored 367 runs at an average of 40.77 with a whopping strike rate of 151.02. At Optus Stadium Marsh has 167 runs at an average of 55.66 including his top two scores this season of 93* and 48. Marsh has controlled his innings with impressive tempo this season as he has placed an importance of giving himself some time before exploding at the back end of his innings. With added responsibility in his first full season out of the Australian side, Marsh has thrived as he has shown his ability to tear games away from opposition sides within a matter of overs. On a batting surface at Optus Stadium which has been a batsmen’s paradise this season, expect Marsh to continue his incredible form with another big score.
Marsh Top PER Batsman
$4.25
Adelaide Strikers
The Strikers knocked off the Stars for the second time this season on Wednesday as they clearly vaulted themselves into title contention. The Sixers are the only other side to beat the Stars this season. Jon Wells continued his unbelievable season with 55 not out off just 36 deliveries. Wells has 406 runs at an average of 81.20 with a strike rate of 133.99. Peter Siddle delivered again with 4/33 taking his wicket tally to 16 wickets at an average of 15.75 with an economy rate of 6.96. Siddle’s economy rate is incredible given the amount of the death overs he has bowled this season. The Strikers bowlers struggled in the run fest against the Scorchers in Adelaide earlier this season, if they are any chance to win, they will need to produce a big performance away from home.
Whilst Jon Wells has occupied the headlines for the Strikers, Jake Weatherald has quietly put together a very good season. Weatherald has scored 352 runs at an average of 32, with a strike rate of 133.84. Weatherald has scored the most runs of any current player in matches between the Scorchers and the Strikers. Against the Scorchers Weatherald has scored 190 runs at an average of 31.67, with a strike rate of 130.14. Weatherald top scored against the Scorchers at the Adelaide Oval earlier this season with a brutal 83 off 47 deliveries. The pace and bounce of the surface at Optus Stadium will suit Weatherald’s strong cross bat stroke play. Weatherald will need to produce again if the Scorchers are going to come away with the two points in Perth.
Weatherald Top ADL Batsman
$3.50
Prediction
The Strikers are $1.80 favourites in this crucial clash, so there’s plenty of value in the head to head market on both sides of the fence. The Scorchers have produced their best performances this season at Optus Stadium and will need to produce again to defeat this quality Strikers outfit. The Strikers bowling attack of Siddle, Agar, Stanlake and Nesser could all potentially go for plenty of runs at a ground that has been difficult to contain runs on this season. If the Scorchers can neutralise the influence that Rashid Khan has on this game, they will put a big score on the board. With the form of Fawad Ahmed, Chris Jordon and Jye Richardson, the Scorchers have plenty of options to turn to with the ball. With the inclusions of Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner, the Scorchers will take an upset victory at home and almost certainly sew up a finals position.
Perth Scorchers H2H
$2.00
