BBL 7, Match 18, Preview: Confident Perth Scorchers play dangerous Heat in a tasty contest

Perth Scorchers who are absolutely flying in this year’s Big Bash League (BBL) are going to bump into Brisbane Heat tomorrow who might not have a 100% record in the tournament but are equally dangerous. Ahead of the tournament, this would have been one of the most anticipated encounters because of the quality that the two teams possess.

Talking about Perth, Mitchell Johnson is leading their bowling and the old boy is still cranking it up big time. Not only is he swinging it up front, but is whacking the deck consistently at 145 clicks in his second and third spells to present himself as a real force for the Scorchers.

And to complement him at the other end is a young speedster Jhye Richardson who is bowling roundabout at the same pace, but because he is a right-hander, adds a different dimension to the attack. The leg-spin of James Muirhead and the change-ups of Andrew Tye are like icing on the cake which make the Scorchers a complete attack.

Batting wise, Michael Klinger’s form was one of the biggest positives for the Scorchers in the last game. He had kept himself out of the initial couple of games because of the illness of his wife but hasn’t taken too long to find form after returning as he hit everything from the middle of the bat during his knock of 83 against the Sydney Sixers.

The Scorchers will want the veteran to continue playing in the same fashion and the likes of Adam Voges, Hilton Cartwright and other stroke players to come to the party and play around him. Brisbane Heat are a batting heavy side and although their bowling is quite good as well, it’s their batting which they rely upon to really impose themselves on the opposition.

They have got two of the most dynamic batsmen of the modern game batting at the top of the order in the form of the captain Brendan McCullum and Chris Lynn and then in the middle order as well, they are not lacking quality with Joe Burns and Ben Cutting.

Heat’s trump card with the ball is Yasir Shah. The wily leg-spinner who hasn’t been able to establish himself in international white ball cricket so far is doing well in the BBL. McCullum has used him at different stages of the innings, even with the new ball at times and he has never let the captain down as he has mixed his lengths nicely and has been one step ahead of the batsman with his game plan.

Predicted XI

Brisbane Heat: Chris Lynn, Brendan McCullum (C), Joe Burns, Jimmy Peirson (WK), Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Mitchell Swepson, Mark Steketee, Yasir Shah, Cameron Gannon

Perth Scorchers: David Willey, Michael Klinger, Hilton Cartwright, Ashton Turner, Tim David, Adam Voges (C), Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Mitchell Johnson, James Muirhead