Big Bash League 2019 Match 18, Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Brisbane Heat will host Perth Scorchers for Match 18 of the 2019-20 BBL at Carrara Oval. Both teams have won a match apiece, though the Heat, having played 3 matches, do have a match in hand.

Brisbane had started the tournament with consecutive defeats against Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars before pulling off a win against Sydney Sixers in their last match, way back on the 22nd.

Their score of 209/4 was set up by Chris Lynn (94 in 35 balls) and Matt Renshaw (60* in 39) before Mitchell Swepson (4-0-27-2) led an attack that restricted the Sixers to 161/7.

The Scorchers, on the other hand, have lost their first as well as most recent match, both against the Sixers. They have also lost to Adelaide Strikers. Their only win came against Melbourne Renegades, who are yet to win a match in this edition.

The Scorchers had put up 196/7 that day, thanks to Cameron Bancroft (51 in 37) and Mitchell Marsh (56* in 22), before Fawad Ahmed (4-0-22-2) and Chris Jordan (4-0-30-2) helped restrict the Renegades to 185/6.

Head to head

Brisbane hold a slight advantage here, having won 6 matches to Perth’s 5.

Key players

Chris Lynn (Brisbane Heat): Lynn, the fastest scorer in BBL history as well as the most prolific six-hitter by far, came to his elements in the Heat’s last match, against the Sixers. The onus will be on him to help his side to climb up the points table.

Chris Jordan (Perth Scorchers): With his canny variations at the death, big hitting, and athleticism on the field, Jordan is probably the Scorchers’ most important player in this tournament.

Likely XIs

Brisbane Heat: Sam Heazlett, Max Bryant, Chris Lynn (c), Matt Renshaw, Jimmy Peirson, Ben Cutting, Jack Prestwidge, Josh Lalor, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Laughlin, Zahir Khan.

Perth Scorchers: Liam Livingstone, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Bancroft, Mitchell Marsh (c), Chris Green, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Chris Jordan, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Kelly, Fawad Ahmed.

Prediction

Brisbane to push their home advantage to a win.