Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers, Big Bash League 2018/19, Today Match Prediction 26 Dec 2018

prs vs ads Match Prediction & Analysis

Hosts Perth Scorchers will be looking to get back to winning ways when they will face reigning champions Adelaide Strikers in the 9th match of the Big Bash League (BPL) in Perth on Wednesday. Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner will be hoping that the side can put in a better performance with the bat in this game.

Adelaide Strikers have notched up a comfortable victory over Brisbane Heat in the opening game of the competition. On the other hand, Perth Scorchers have got off to a worse possible start with back-to-back defeats in the competition. The batting has been a big letdown so far in the competition.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Perth Scorchers Preview

The home side will go into this match after suffering a 17-run defeat at the hands of Sydney Sixers played on Saturday.

In this game, the team will be relying on Michael Klinger to produce something with the bat. Klinger has perished for low scores in the first two games of the competition. He has certainly needs to spend some time at the crease to rediscover his mojo with the bat. 

Wicket-keeper Sam Whiteman has struggled to get going with the bat at the top of the innings. He is an experienced player in the batting lineup and will need to raise his game against Adelaide Strikers.

Hilton Cartwright and Ashton Turner played well and scored runs against Sydney Sixers. The duo will need to produce decent scores for Perth Scorchers to put up a strong fight against Adelaide Strikers.

In the bowling department, left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff has been standout bowler for Scorchers in the two games played so far. He has picked up 4 wickets in 2 matches. 

Jhye Richardson and Nathan Coulter-Nile had a good outing with the ball against Sydney Sixers. Ashton Agar and Andrew Tye are the other wicket-taking options for Perth Scorchers.

Perth Scorchers Predicted Playing XI:

Ashton Turner (captain), Michael Klinger, Sam Whiteman, Hilton Cartwright, David Willey, WG Bosisto/, Andrew Tye, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson

Adelaide Strikers Preview

On the other hand, Adelaide Strikers are coming into this game after suffering defeat at the hands of Melbourne Renegades. The reigning champions will need to make amends for their bowling as it went downhill in the last five over of the innings.

In the batting department, the team is relying heavily on wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey, who produced a half-century in the opening game against Brisbane Heat. Captain Colin Ingram has yet to put in a big score and will be keen to produce something special with the bat.

Jake Weatherald got Strikers off to a decent start against Renegades and scored 32 runs off 28 balls. Matthew Short played exceedingly well to score 65 off 41 balls with the help of five sixes.

He was being well-supported by Jonathan Wells, who scored 42 off 30 balls with the help of four boundaries. The big positive for Adelaide is that the batting lineup has seen contributions from everyone in the games played so far in the competition. The batsmen have really stood and chipped in with crucial performances in the absence of Travis Head, who is on international duty with Australia.

In the bowling department, pace bowler Billy Stanlake will be leading the attack for Strikers. Stanlake conceded a lot of runs in the previous game against Melbourne and will need to improve his skills in the death overs of the innings. Leg-spinner Rashid Khan was standout performer for Strikers in the game played against Renegades.

Adelaide Strikers Predicted Playing XI:

Colin Ingram (captain), Alex Carey (wk), Jake Weatherald, Matthew Short, Jonathan Wells, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Ben Laughlin, Billy Stanlake, Rashid Khan, Carmen Valente

Weather Conditions

The newly built Optus Stadium generally favors pace bowlers, who will get plenty of bounce and carry from the surface. The last BBL game played here was between Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes, competing for a place in the finals last season. The weather is expected to be dry and warm in Perth. Expect a good wicket for this game.

Venue

The venue has seen plenty of games being played in recent times. The ground hosted its first Test between Australia and India a week ago. The Scorchers have lost their only game played at the venue against Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the teams will look to bowl first as there will be plenty of assistance for bowlers from the pitch. It will be better for Perth Scorchers to bat second in this game.