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We're down to the final 5 fixtures of the Big Bash League 2020-21 and we start with the Eliminator between the Strikers from Adelaide and the Heat from Brisbane.
Ever Since Marnus Labuschagne has joined the Heat, their team looks on a different level altogether and Lynn is playing fearlessly at the top alongside Bryant knowing that Labuschagne and Gregory can stabilize the middle order. Mitchell Swepson's inclusion has also improved their bowling unit and has picked 2 wickets each in the previous two games. It's been surprising that their most experienced bowler Ben Laughlin has been wicketless this season but fortunately for them, Mark Steketee took responsibility with the ball and has picked up 22 wickets this season and is the second highest wicket taker.
For the Strikers, Travis Head and Michael Neser had both joined the squad 3 games prior and have made a mark straightaway. Head is also their skipper and has scored 58 runs in 3 games along with a wicket to his name. Neser on the other hand has picked up 3 wickets in the 3 games. Unfortunate for them, Rashid Khan left mid season, but Wes Agar and Peter Siddle have done really well and are currently 4th and 8th highest wicket takers this season. Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey have been the pick of the batsmen for them and surely make them one of the best opening pairs for the team.
*Venue Report*
Only 5 matches have been played this season at The Gabba, Brisbane, including the first game between the same teams who'd face in this game on the same venue.
Match 1 (BH vs AS)
Batting 1st - 150/6(20) - AS
Batting 2nd - 148/9(20) - BH
Match 2 (BH vs HH)
Batting 1st - 148/7(20) - HH
Batting 2nd - 152/6(17.2) - BH
Match 3 (HH vs BH)
Batting 1st - 150/10(19.5) - HH
Batting 2nd - 149/8(20) - BH
Match 4 (BH vs SS)
Batting 1st - 165/8(20) - SS
Batting 2nd - 171/6(18.5) - BH
Match 5 (MS vs HH)
Batting 1st - 183/6(20) - MS
Batting 2nd - 173/6(20) - HH
Average Score Batting 1st - 159
Average Score Batting 2nd - 158
Times Batting 1st team won - 3/5
Time Batting 2nd team won - 2/5
Conclusion - It's an almost equal scenario for teams batting first or second on this venue and have done well this season. Can expect a score of around 150-165 in this game and the team winning the toss could opt for batting first. Brisbane Heat have played 4 games here this season and have that home ground advantage. Adelaide Strikers have just played 1 on this venue this season against the Heat itself and ended up on the winning note.
*Probable XIs*
Adelaide Strikers - Alex Carey(Wk), Jake Weatherald, Travis Head(C), Phillip Salt, Jonathan Wells, Michael Neser, Ryan Gibson, Daniel Worrall, Peter Siddle, Wes Agar, Liam O'Connor
X Factor - Danny Briggs, Matthew Renshaw
Brisbane Heat - Chris Lynn(C), Max Bryant, Joe Denly, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Burns, Lewis Gregory, Jimmy Peirson(Wk), Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Laughlin
X Factor - Morne Morkel, Jack Wildermuth
*Head to Head this season*
(Top Players)
Match 1 (23/12)
Jonathan Wells - 31(26)
Phillip Salt - 28(16)
Wes Agar - 2/44(4)
Daniel Worrall - 2/12(4)
Jimmy Peirson - 69(36)*
Xavier Bartlett - 3/24(4)
Mark Steketee - 2/31(4)
Match 2 (21/01)
Alex Carey - 101(62)
Jake Weatherald - 36(18)
Travis Head - 25(19)
Phillip Salt - 26(17)
Peter Siddle - 3/13(2.3)
Wes Agar - 4/27(4)
Marnus Labuschagne - 28(25) & 2/20(2)
Max Bryant - 25(16)
Xavier Bartlett - 1/30(4)
*Key Players*
(Must Picks)
Adelaide Strikers - Jake Weatherald, Alex Carey, Wes Agar, Travis Head
Brisbane Heat - Chris Lynn, Marnus Labuschagne, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson
*GL Picks*
Adelaide Strikers - Phillip Salt, Daniel Worrall, Peter Siddle, Michael Neser, Jonathan Wells
Can avoid -
1. Liam O'Connor(Quite a few bowling options available and he has been economical but not been a consistent wicket taking bowler as such)
2. Ryan Gibson(He has had a couple of 20s but has been dismissed below 3, 4 times in the previous 6 games)
Brisbane Heat - Joe Denly, Max Bryant, Lewis Gregory, Jack Wildermuth, Joe Burns(hit or miss pick)
Can avoid -
1. Jimmy Peirson(Bats way down the order and hardly gets enough deliveries to face, but if batting 2nd, can try in GL)
2. Xavier Bartlett(He has been subbed out in bowling just one over thrice in the previous 5 games and could be subbed out again and can be a very risky pick. If you feel that he'd bowl his entire spell, then do keep him in GL.)
3. Ben Laughlin(He has been wicketless in all 5 games that he has played this season)
*My Fantasy Team*
Wk - Carey
Bat - Lynn, Weatherald, Salt, Bryant
AR - Labuschagne, Head, Neser/Wildermuth
Bowl - Steketee/Siddle, Agar, Swepson
Safe C/VC choices - Lynn, Carey, Labuschagne
GL C/VC choices - Gregory, Weatherald, Agar, Swepson