Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

BBL 10 Match 46: STR vs HEA Preview Dream11 Possible 11 Pitch Report | AS vs BH Dream11 Prediction Today | Strikers vs Heat Key Players | Adelaide Oval Pitch Report

Having played 11 games each, both these two sides find themselves outside the top five in the BBL 10 points table. So, it will be a test of nerves and resolve in this crucial clash, where the winner will enter the top five, while the loser will see their playoff hopes hang by an even looser thread.

Adelaide Strikers have fallen away badly in BBL 10, with their lowest point being their last outing; a 111-run thrashing at the hands of the Melbourne Stars. The absence of Rashid Khan, who is on Afghanistan national duty, is proving to be quite a blow at the moment, as well as the underperformance of many of their batsmen in recent games. However, they welcome back big guns Travis Head and Michael Neser for this clash, which is a boost.

For the Brisbane Heat, they welcome back Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Swepson. After a poor start to their campaign, the Heat picked up some form in the middle stages. However, they have often struggled in crunch matches in recent seasons, so this encounter will be a test of how far they have come as a team. How they respond to two defeats in their past three games will be key, as well as how they respond to pressure moments within the game itself.

All to play for.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Adelaide Strikers:

• Travis Head will be key in this game. He has a total of 151 runs against the Heat at a respectable average of 37.75.
• Alex Carey will also be key. He is having a decent yet unspectacular season to date (280 runs, avg. 31.11). At Adelaide this season, Carey has made starts, which he will look to build on today (scores of 15, 82, 21, 42, 21).
• Phil Salt smashed 67* (38) vs Heat on this ground last season.
• Michael Neser has taken nine wickets in nine games vs the Heat in his BBL career.
• Wes Agar has taken 17 wickets in 11 matches in BBL 10, and has three wickets in two matches vs Heat. Danny Briggs, the left-arm spinner, took 3/20 vs Heat earlier this season.
• Can Peter Siddle influence this game? He has taken six wickets in six games vs Heat, plus his overall T20 record at Adelaide Oval is brilliant: 22 matches, 33 wickets, econ. 7.06.

Brisbane Heat:

• Chris Lynn is enjoying a fine BBL 10 campaign so far (7 inns, 300 runs, avg. 42.85, SR 147.78). However, can the Heat skipper improve on a poor record vs Strikers? (11 inns, 191 runs, avg. 17.36, SR 124.84)
• Jimmy Peirson loves playing the Strikers. He hit a remarkable 69* (36) vs Strikers earlier this season to nearly steal the most unlikeliest of victories. Overall, he has the most runs in Heat-Strikers matches (227, avg. 45.40).
• Will Marnus Labuschagne hit the ground running straight away? He is coming off a fine Test series, where he scored 426 runs at an average of 53.25.
• Mark Steketee has taken 18 wickets in 10 matches in BBL 10 (equal second-most). This includes 2/31 vs Strikers earlier this season. Overall, he has eight wickets in six games vs Strikers.
• Xavier Bartlett took 3/24 vs Strikers earlier in BBL 10.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 12, Strikers 7, Heat 5.
• Strikers beat Heat by two runs in a classic match earlier this season.
• Alex Carey has scored 96 runs in three innings vs Heat, including one score of 70.

Possible Playing 11

Travis Head and Michael Neser are in the Strikers’ squad for this match.

Adelaide Strikers: 1. Alex Carey (wk), 2. Phil Salt, 3. Matt Renshaw, 4. Travis Head (c), 5. Jake Weatherald, 6. Jonathan Wells, 7. Michael Neser, 8. Peter Siddle, 9. Daniel Worrall, 10. Danny Briggs, 11. Wes Agar

Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Swepson are back for the Brisbane Heat after the Australia vs India Test series. So, it will be interesting to see who the Heat leave out. Given Max Bryant’s poor form, it could be he who misses out.

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

Adelaide Oval Pitch Report and Weather

A hot and sunny day is forecast for Adelaide on Thursday. In terms of the pitch, expect to see another beauty for batting, as is often the case on this ground. Also, the short square boundaries is a factor that batsmen will look to target.

However, the average first innings score hasn’t been huge at Adelaide in five games so far in BBL 10 (161.6). The chasing team has won three of the five matches.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

With key players returning, this promises to be a cracking match. The addition of Head and Neser could prove crucial for the Strikers, and will be aiming for a good performance in front of their home fans. Strikers to win.

Thanks for reading!