Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

BBL 10 Challenger: HEA vs SCO Preview Dream11 Possible 11 Pitch Report | BH vs PS Dream11 Prediction Today | Scorchers vs Heat Key Players | Manuka Oval Pitch Report

Just over a week ago, Brisbane Heat had to beat the high-flying Perth Scorchers to seal a spot in the top five. The Heat were suffering from indecent form, which suggested to many that victory over the Scorchers would be a difficult ask.

Now, not only did they beat the Scorchers on Australia Day, but they have won two matches in the playoffs, including a superb run-chase against Sydney Thunder last time out, courtesy of Sam Heazlett and Jimmy Peirson. After years of underachievement, the Heat have the chance to qualify for the BBL 10 Final, which would be a remarkable achievement given their indifferent start to the campaign.

To do that, they will have to beat the Scorchers again. A week ago, the Scorchers were undone badly by the Sixers, and it will be interesting to see their response here. Unfortunately for them, they miss out on a home final in Perth due to new border restrictions, so they will want to hit their straps right away in Canberra. Colin Munro, one of their strong-points from BBL 10, has called for the batsmen to “take egos out of it” when facing the Heat’s in-form spin duo of Mitch Swepson and Marnus Labuschagne.

Which team will hold their nerve?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Brisbane Heat:

• Marnus Labuschagne has been a breath of fresh air for the Heat. In his five games in BBL 10, he has scored 161 runs (28, 49, 46, 6 and 32) and taken nine wickets (2/20, 1/10, 3/35, 3/13 and 1/32).
• Chris Lynn has a superb record vs Scorchers (561 runs, avg. 51.09). In fact, Lynn, in a crucial game last week, smashed 51 off 25 balls vs Scorchers. Key player.
• Sam Heazlett is coming off a career-best knock of 74* off 49 balls vs Thunder. Jimmy Peirson has proven to be quite a decent finisher this season, with 309 runs (avg. 51.50) and strike rate of 127.16.
• Mark Steketee has taken 24 wickets in 15 matches in BBL 10. However, he has struggled vs Scorchers this season, taking 0/42 and 0/54 in the two matches against them.
• Mitch Swepson has taken two wickets in each of his last four matches (2/26, 2/20, 2/23, 2/28).

Perth Scorchers:

• Mitchell Marsh loves playing the Heat. He has scored 359 runs against them at an average of 71.80 and strike rate of 166.98. Last week, he hammered 54* off 26 balls to nearly get the Scorchers home against the Heat. Last year, he slammed 93* off 41 balls against them.
• Colin Munro has scored the fourth-most runs in BBL 10 (441, avg. 33.92, SR 128.94). This included an excellent 82 off 54 balls vs Heat a couple of weeks ago.
• Before his score of 3 vs Sixers, Jason Roy struck 20, 54 and 41 in his previous three games. His 41 came off 32 balls vs Heat. He will be key.
• Josh Inglis is coming off an excellent 69* off 41 balls last game vs Sixers. So, can he improve on his average of 17.17 in six matches vs Heat?
• Jhye Richardson has the most wickets in BBL 10 (27 in 15 matches). This includes 2/10 and 1/44 vs Heat. Key bowler.
• Andrew Tye has the most wickets in Heat-Scorchers matches (13 in nine matches). How he goes at the death could decide this match.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 15, Heat 7, Scorchers 8.
• Both teams have won one game each against each other in BBL 10. In the first meeting, Scorchers (174/5) thrashed Heat (115) by 59 runs. In the second match, last week, Heat held on to win a crunch game by six runs.
• The winner of this match will meet Sydney Sixers in Saturday’s BBL 10 Final.

Possible Playing 11

Brisbane Heat: 1. Chris Lynn (c), 2. Joe Denly, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Sam Heazlett, 5. Jimmy Peirson (wk), 6. Joe Burns, 7. Lewis Gregory, 8. Mark Steketee, 9. Mitchell Swepson, 10. Ben Laughlin, 11. Morne Morkel/Xavier Bartlett

Perth Scorchers: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Liam Livingstone, 3. Colin Munro, 4. Josh Inglis (wk), 5. Mitchell Marsh, 6. Ashton Turner (c), 7. Aaron Hardie, 8. Jhye Richardson, 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Jason Behrendorff, 11. Fawad Ahmed

Manuka Oval Pitch Report and Weather

Win the toss and choose to chase. This will be on the agenda for both captains, as the chasing team has enjoyed success on this ground so far in the BBL 10 Finals series. This is especially the case given there is dew around in the second innings, which makes chasing the go-to option.

There is a medium chance of showers in the evening, but not much is forecast. There should be a result.

Also read:

• 5 players Chennai Super Kings can target in the IPL 2021 Auction
• 5 players Royal Challengers Bangalore can target in the IPL 2021 Auction

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Brisbane Heat, unlike recent seasons, have performed so well under pressure. Perth Scorchers have the better side on paper, but this one could come down to whether the team bowling first can restrict their opponents to under 170, as bowling second is not easy.

Thanks for reading!