Adelaide Strikers vs Brisbane Heat: Adelaide Strikers Predicted XI- Big Bash League (BBL 2020-21)

Coming off from an embarrassing defeat, Adelaide Strikers will face off Brisbane Heat on January 20 (Thursday) at Adelaide Oval.  This will be the 46th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21.

Adelaide Strikers are missing their two prominent wicket-takers, Peter Siddle and Rashid Khan. The former is injured while the latter has returned to his home owing to national duty. In the last match, they were given above par total and while chasing, they were bundled out for just 68 runs. This defeat would have put down their morale but Alex Carey led-side Strikers have bounced back at every occasion.

Here, let’s take a look at Adelaide Strikers playing XI:

Phil Salt:

After losing his wickets early, Phil Salt registered his highest score of this tournament in the second last match against Melbourne Renegades. He amassed 59 runs off 42 balls in which he struck three fours and three sixes but it could not end up winning the match.

Strikers are lacking in an opening partnership which has been the significant cause of losing their previous matches. The Aussie need to chip in and give them a good base.

Matt Renshaw:

Matt Renshaw again lost his wicket early without giving a good base to the team against Melbourne Stars. He scored five runs before Zahir Khan picked his wicket. Adelaide Strikers will be hoping that he give them match-winning opening partnerships in the coming matches.

Alex Carey (c & wk):

The skipper Alex Carey has always stepped in whenever the team needed him most with the bat. And it was also seen against Perth Scorchers. He scored 82 runs off 59 balls in which he smacked 12 fours and one six to push Adelaide Strikers past 130 after the early fall of top-order and middle-order.

Jonathan Wells:

The right-hand batsman Jonathan Wells has not been very impressive. In the last match, he consumed 23 balls to score just 18 runs. He will have to play fiery knock in the middle to take the game home for Adelaide Strikers.

Ryan Gibson:

Ryan Gibson has returned in the playing XI for the good. Against Melbourne Renegades in the first meeting, he stitched up a match-winning partnership with Weatherald to stabilize Adelaide Strikers’ innings. He remained not out and scored 43 runs off 31 balls at the strike rate of 138.71.

Jake Weatherald:

Jake Weatherald has been pushed down the order which has been a good decision so far. Against Melbourne Renegades in the first match, he scored a half-century in the last match when the middle-order lost the wicket consecutively. The left-hand batsman amassed 51 runs off 25 runs to push the total past 160.

Liam O’Connor:

Lian O’Connor, who played three matches last season, is likely to return in the playing XI in place of Rashid Khan, who has returned to play for Afghanistan in the series against Ireland. The leg-spinner has huge shoes to fill and Adelaide Strikers will hope that he gives them early breakthroughs.

Daniel Worrall:

In nine matches, Daniel Worral has picked up nine wickets at an acceptable economy rate of 7.22. Against Melbourne Stars in the first meeting, he notched two wickets while gave away 28 runs in his four overs. Strikers will hope that the pacer replicate a similar performance in the second meeting against Stars.

Cameron Valente:

Cameron Valente played his maiden match of the season against Melbourne Stars, which was the last match of  Adelaide Strikers. He picked up the important wicket of Glenn Maxwell but gave away 36 runs in his four overs. He will look to bounce back stronger against Brisbane Heat.

Wes Agar:

Wes Agar is the crucial player for Adelaide Strikers in the bowling department. Against Melbourne Renegades in the first meeting, he picked three important wickets to halt them to just 111 runs. In four overs, he was economical as well, conceding 23 runs. Against Melbourne Stars in the first meeting, he sent back both the openers early back to hut to pull the momentum towards his side.

Danny Briggs:

The English cricketer was bowling gas against Melbourne Renegades in the first meeting. He picked two wickets while chocked the middle-order to score runs against him. In his four overs, he gave away only 17 runs and registered an impressive economy rate of 4.25 He will look to replicate a similar performance against Brisbane Heat.