Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers, Big Bash League 2020-21, Today Match Prediction 26 Jan 2021

brh vs prs Match Prediction & Analysis

It is a must win game for the Brisbane Heat as they play table toppers Perth Scorchers in the 54th game of the season. Brisbane Heat would be confident coming into this game after a big win against the Melbourne Renegades that has kept their hopes alive for a berth in the playoffs. The Scorchers defeated the Melbourne Stars in the last game to reach the top of the points table. 

There would be no pressure on the Scorchers going into the game and they would look to gain momentum winning here. As for the Brisbane Heat their record against the Scorchers hasn’t been great in the recent past and they had lost the earlier game of the season against the same opponent by a big margin. It remains to be seen if Brisbane Heat can turn it around in this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Brisbane Heat Preview

Chris Lynn’s side is coming into this game after a big win against the Melbourne Renegades. They batted brilliantly in the last game and also bowled well to register a 26-run win against the Melbourne Renegades. They are now sitting 4th on the points table and have to win this game to make it to the playoffs as they are just one point ahead of the two sides below them. Lynn would know the strength the Scorchers have and want his side to play to their potential in this game. 

Openers Chris Lynn and Max Bryant would like to start from where they had left in the last game and look in good form. Marnus Labuschagne’s entry in the middle order adds to the side’s strength which also has good hitters in Joe Denly and Joe Burns. Jimmy Peirson and Lewis Gregory have been inconsistent down the order and they will have an important role to play here. 

Mark Steketee and Xavier Bartlett have been expensive in the last few games and they can’t afford so against the strong batting line-up that Scorchers have. Ben Laughlin, Labuschagne and Mitchell Swepson bowled well in the last game to earn a win for the side and they would look for similar efforts here. Gregory will need to play a good supporting act as he has leaked runs in most games.

Brisbane Heat Predicted Playing XI:

Chris Lynn (c), Max Bryant, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Denly, Joe Burns, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Lewis Gregory, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Laughlin

Brisbane Heat Actual Playing XI:

Marnus Labuschagne, Lewis Gregory, Joe Burns, Jimmy Peirson, Xavier Bartlett, Joe Denly, Mitchell Swepson, Ben Laughlin, Mark Steketee, Max Bryant, Chris Lynn

Perth Scorchers Preview

Ashton Turner’s side has looked excellent in the second leg of the group stage. They have won eight out of the last nine games and come here after an 11-run win against the Melbourne Stars which has taken them to the top of the points table. With their place in the playoffs guaranteed the side would play freely. Turner would want his players to win this game and gather momentum ahead of the next stage. 

They are looking great in the batting department with Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone in good form. They would need to provide a good start here. Colin Munro has done well in the last few games and makes the middle order rock solid along with Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh. Down the order they have good hitters in Turner, Aaron Hardie and Jhye Richardson in the side. 

Jason Behrendorff is showing great rhythm with the new ball and shall look to strike early in company of Richardson. Andrew Tye’s good show with the ball in the last game would serve as a huge confidence booster. With Aaron Hardie, Turner and Fawad Ahmed in the squad they have good bowling options going into the last league game of the season.

Perth Scorchers Predicted Playing XI:

Ashton Turner (c), Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed

Perth Scorchers Actual Playing XI:

AJ Tye, Jason Roy, Jason Behrendorff, Liam Livingstone, Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson, Fawad Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh, AJ Turner, Aaron Hardie, Colin Munro

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It will be dark and gloomy over Sydney on January 26 and batting conditions would be difficult. The ball would move around due to the conditions and batsmen would have to play with caution. The side batting first in this game would be happy with any score above 160 runs given the slowness in the surface.

Venue Details

Sydney Cricket Ground is not the easiest surface to bat on as the slowness in the track creates doubts in the minds of batsmen. Fast bowlers do get good bounce and carry from the surface. Spinners have a good time at this venue as the ball turns sharply and also the large size of the venue allows them to toss the ball up.

Toss: To Bowl

Most teams bowling first at this venue have gone on to win games in the recent past. The pitch is slightly tricky to bat on and we haven’t seen too many big scores here. There are predictions for rains and this is also likely to play on the minds of both the teams. Hence the side winning the toss here is likely to opt for bowling first.