Big Bash League 2019 Match 51, Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Two games left. Both Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers are hanging on to their current positions in the table – No.2 and No.4 respectively – and the side that wins tomorrow will stand a big chance to consolidate their positions, at the very least, and ensure their progress in the knockouts will be as smooth as possible.

Adelaide will be determined for a win, particularly because Melbourne Stars, the league leaders, suffered their second consecutive loss, and there is an opportunity to now to close the gap. It’s currently a five-point gap, and even if Adelaide win their two remaining matches and Stars lose their last league match, there will be still be a point separating the sides.

However, it’s a matter of pride – a one-point gap certainly looks better than five points – and that’s what Adelaide will be looking to do.

Perth’s need for a win, relatively, is more serious. There is just one point separating them from fifth-placed Sydney Thunder, and they will be desperate to reach safety. Two wins in their remaining matches should do that, of course, especially in their next game when they face Thunder. However, ideally, they wouldn’t want to leave it all till that clash.

At this stage of the season, wins are imperative.

Head to head

This has been a stellar rivalry. As many as 15 matches between them since BBL started, and the Scorchers currently edge the Strikers by a single win – eight wins to seven. Will it all be squared up come Thursday?

Key players

Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers): Wickets haven’t been a problem for Perth, but runs … less so. That’s where Inglis comes in – 382 runs at 12 innings at a stunning strike-rate of 155.28. All of those skills will be needed in this final stages of the league campaign.

Jonathan Wells (Adelaide Strikers): He’s been a run-machine this season for the Strikers – 11 innings, 406 runs at an average of 81.2. He’s kept the Strikers in the tournament with those runs, and it’s time to make the most of it.

Likely XIs

Perth Scorchers: Josh Inglis (wk), Liam Livingstone, Kurtis Patterson, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green, Tim David, Chris Jordan, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Kelly, Fawad Ahmed

Adelaide Strikers: Phil Salt, Jake Weatherald, Travis Head (c), Alex Carey (wk), Jonathan Wells, Matthew Short, Michael Nesser, Rashid Khan, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Billy Stanlake

Prediction Adelaide to win.