2017-18 Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers & Adelaide Strikers Preview
England is in town and the Ashes fever is in full fervour, but that hasn’t stopped the excitement around the Big Bash League build up. The KFC BBL07 is scheduled to start with the Sydney derby on Tuesday, December 19th and not even the Ashes could match the BBL tempo among young Australian fans!
This year BBL has gone bigger and better with an additional eight matches taking the action to February 4th, which is a week longer than usual. With the start of the action around the corner, we look ahead to the action by previewing the teams and their chances!
Perth Scorchers
Three-time winners including last year, two runners-up performances and a semi-final appearance – this is the impressive roster of Perth Scorchers who are undoubtedly the best team in BBL history. To say that they start as a top favourite is just stating the obvious!
This season, they have decided to go with the same squad and have also made the unconventional decision of singing only one international player – David Willey.
The worry for them is that the Marsh brothers – Shaun and Mitchell together with Cameron Bancroft will be unavailable during the Tests. To add to their discomfort, Willey’s availability could also be limited considering his presence in England’s ODI squad.
However, they have shown time and again that their replacements have always shown the gumption to stand up and be counted when it matters the most. Their dominance will be put to test, but back the Scorchers to be in the top four. Beyond that, it could depend on how they perform on that day!
Player to watch: Hilton Cartwright
X-Factor: Mitchell Johnson
Prediction: Top four – odds of 1.32 (Betfair)
Odds: $5 at Ladbrokes
Adelaide Strikers
The Adelaide Strikers had a season to forget last year, ending up with a record of three wins and five losses, eventually finishing sixth. They now have decided to invest in youth as the process to an improved performance starts in the right earnest.
Having let captain Brad Hodge leave, the Strikers have made Travis Head the skipper. Exciting additions were made in the overseas section as Colin Ingram and Rashid Khan were added to the roster. Ingram can clear any ground in the world while Rashid is an exciting leg-spinner with a great T20 franchise record.
But, the worry for Strikers is the fact that they lack star power, which may come back to haunt them. The prospect of Head being called up for national ODI duty could be a hindrance too!
All in all, the Strikers look increasingly dependent on a few players which may come back to haunt them. The Strikers may once again miss out on the top four.
Player to watch: Rashid Khan
X-Factor: Jake Lehmann
Prediction: Fifth or below
Odds: $9 at Ladbrokes
Check back over the coming days for the rest of our BBL07 team previews and our eventual season preview and betting tips!
