Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat, Preview, and prediction 

Their January 7 rivals, Brisbane Heat, have had a disastrous season. The Jimmy Peirson-led side is currently second to last in the points table and has won just two of its seven games.

After a brilliant start by the Brisbane batters in their last match against the Sixers, the game, unfortunately, had to be abandoned due to rain. 

For Perth Scorchers, the team will have to do without Jhye Richardson for at least two to three weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury in the last match. In his absence, speedster Lance Morris could return to the squad.

Apart from that, the Scorchers will try to improve their batting in the upcoming match. With the exception of captain Ashton Turner, they were only able to make a significant contribution to the team in the last game, and that needs to change as BBL heads towards the end of the season. As far as bowling is concerned, Richardson will leave a big void.

Pitch Report

The conditions at Perth Stadium will favour the batters as the pitch is expected to be hard and flat. The team that wins the toss will likely bat first, and anything over 175 should be a good score to defend.

Players to watch

Josh Inglis

Jason Behrendorff

Colin Munro

Mark Steketee

Match prediction: Perth Scorchers will win this match 

Squad:

Perth Scorchers squad: Adam Lyth, Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis(w), Ashton Turner(c), Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Chris Sabburg, Matthew Kelly, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou, Andrew Tye, Lance Morris, David Payne, Cooper Connolly, Stephen Eskinazi

Brisbane Heat squad: Colin Munro, Josh Brown, Sam Billings, Jimmy Peirson(w/c), Nathan McSweeney, Ross Whiteley, James Bazley, Michael Neser, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett