Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers: Big Bash League Opener Preview

Match Details

Preview

However, the absence of their skipper Travis Head, who is away on international duty, is sure to affect their chances and it will be imperative that Alex Carey, Jake Weatherald and Colin Ingram pitch in with the bat. The first two players struck a hundred for the side in the BBL last season while Ingram has plenty of experience, having played in various T20 leagues all over the world. Their bowling will be led by the wily Rashid Khan, Billy Stanlake and Ben Laughlin, who were on top of their game and the Strikers can hope they can outfox the rival team, who have plenty of match-winners in their ranks.

Brisbane Heat will be led by Chris Lynn, who took over the role from Brendon McCullum for 2018/19. Both these players will have a huge role to play in the turnaround for the franchise this season. Their bowling has been bolstered by the addition of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who replaced Shadab Khan, and along with James Pattinson and Mark Stekettee - the best bowler for Heat last year - their bowling unit bears a formidable look. They will be playing at home, and hence head into the encounter as favorites.

Player recommendation

Carey was one of the top run-scorers of the tournament last season, scoring 443 runs along with a hundred in 11 games with a strike-rate of 141.53. The English international has plenty of experience as well, and in the absence of Head, he will be one of the mainstays of the batting line-up.

Batsman: Chris Lynn (11 credits)
On his day, Lynn can be the most destructive player - one who can take the game away in the first few overs itself. He is a regular presence in the IPL, CPL and in the Pakistan Super League, which means that he has the experience of playing on different conditions. In 135 T20 matches, Lynn has amassed over 3600 runs with a staggering strike-rate of 144.13. The new captain will be eager to lead from the front, and if he is able to rise to the responsibility, he will be a dangerous prospect.

All-rounder: Michael Neser (8.5 credits)

The South African, who now plays for Australia, might not be the biggest smasher of the ball but he can pitch in with useful contributions with the willow. However, he is more famed for his skills with the ball - having scalped 50 wickets in T20s thus far. He is in a brilliant run of form for Queensland, albeit in a different format, having scored 312 runs in his last 5 matches whilst also picking up 13 wickets.

Bowler: Rashid Khan (9.5 credits)

The Afghanistan bowler has grown in stature with each passing year. No batsman or situation seems to pressurize him, as he goes about outfoxing and deceiving the rivals with his googlies, that are bowled at will. In 138 T20 games, Rashid Khan has picked up 207 wickets at an average of 15.58 and more importantly, has conceded runs at an economy rate of just 6.09 runs per over. Lately, he has also improved his batting and has a strike-rate of 150.79, which makes him a real threat.

Captain: Rashid Khan

Vice-captain: Chris Lynn

Predicted Playing XI

Adelaide Strikers: Alex Carey (wk), Jake Weatherald, Colin Ingram (c), Matthew Short, Jonathan Wells, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Rashid Khan, Peter Siddle, Ben Laughlin, Billy Stanlake