Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers, Brisbane Heat Predicted XI, Big Bash League (BBL 2020-21)

Brisbane Heat has the last opportunity to seal the spot in the playoffs when they play their last group stage match against Perth Scorchers on January 26 (Tuesday). It will be the 54th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21.

After winning their last match against Melbourne Renegades, they entered the top four position in the points table. But to enter the qualifiers, they need to win the match against strong Perth Scorchers.

Here, let’s take a look at Brisbane Heat’s predicted XI:

Chris Lynn (c):

After returning from injury, the skipper Chris Lynn fired every opposition. Overall, in nine matches, he has scored 369 runs, including four fifties, at the staggering strike rate of 149.52. Currently, he is the highest scorer for his team after playing only eight matches.

Max Bryant:

After being used as the X-factor against Adelaide Strikers, Max Bryant returned to the playing XI as the opening partner of Chris Lynn. He stitched 78 runs partnership with Lynn to give a good base to Brisbane Heat against Melbourne Renegades.

Marnus Labuschangne:

Marnus Labuschagne returned to the Brisbane Heat squad after the conclusion of the four-match Test series against India. He played the first match of the season against Adelaide Strikers, which was the second last match of the Heat.

Against Melbourne Renegades, he missed a half-century with a mere run. He scored 49 off just 31 balls in which he struck three fours and two sixes.

Joe Denly:

The English batsman has chipped in times of need. Against Sydney Thunder, he stitched a match-winning partnership with Joe Burns and in the process, registered maiden half-century of the season. Against Melbourne Renegades, he scored 31 runs off 25 balls while chasing 150 runs. However, in the last three matches, he has not given significant contribution.

Joe Burns:

Joe Burns, who is finding his lost confidence in the Test series against India, has also not been effective in the last three matches, being out for 2, 1 and 7 runs respectively. He will look to bounce back against Perth Scorchers.

Jimmy Peirson (wk):

Jimmy Peirson, who was leading the team in absence of Chris Lynn, hasn’t managed to charge up the innings in the last couple of matches. Against Sydney Sixers, he consumed 18 balls but was out after scoring 16 runs. Brisbane Heat will hope that he replicates the knock as he played against Adelaide Strikers, scoring unbeaten 69 runs in 36 balls.

Lewis Gregory:

The all-rounder Lewis Gregory has given useful contributions with both bat and ball. Being in the lower-middle order, he hasn’t got much time to spend in the middle but has capitalized on the opportunity to accelerate the innings. At the strike rate of 128.57, he has scored 135 runs in ten matches. He has also seven wickets in his name and his best figure being 3/22.

Mark Steketee:

The right-arm pacer Mark Steketee has got the knack of picking wickets but he needs to learn the art of control the run rate. In 12 matches, the 26-year-old pacer has picked up 22 wickets but at the poor economy rate of 9.08. He had leaked 41 runs in his 3.4 overs in the last match against Melbourne Renegades.

Mitchell Swepson:

Mitchell Swepson has also returned after being released from the Australia national team after the completion of the four-match Test series against India. Against Adelaide Strikers, he went wicketless while expensive, leaking 39 runs in four overs quota. In the last match, he bounced back and picked the wicket of Melbourne Renegades’ captain Aaron Finch.

Xavier Barlett:

Bartlett has given breakthroughs in crucial situations. In 12 matches, he has picked up 12 wickets at an economy rate of 8.08. He notched two wickets in the last match against Melbourne Renegades. To fulfil Brisbane Heats’ dream to qualify for the playoffs, he needs to pick quick wickets against Perth Scorchers.

Morne Morkel:

Morne Morkel, who is playing as the local player of Australia, played the maiden match of the Big Bash League against Melbourne Renegades in the first meeting. He picked up one wicket while leaked 29 runs in his four overs. Against Perth Scorchers in the first meeting, he notched the wicket of Colin Munro and Cameron Bancroft while leaked 24 runs in his four overs.