Perth Scorchers face Adelaide Strikers in the BBL knockout final, with a chance to win a historic hat-trick of titles. The team, which had previously defeated Brisbane Heat, was confident of clinching the second spot and knocking out the Heat in the Qualifier. The Scorchers’ aspirations of winning the title were dashed by their shock home loss to the Sixers Rocks.
However, they were left stunned by a brilliant chase led by opener Daniel Hughes and finished calmly by skipper Moises Henriques. If they win, they will have to play either the Heat or the Sixers away. The match was a significant moment in the rivalry.
Scorchers’ aspirations of winning
Scorchers will not host the final, despite winning 17 of their last 18 matches at home. This has motivated rivals, who are looking forward to seeing their new player, who is expected to make an impact on Saturday’s match.
The Scorchers’ title defense has been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and injuries, including losing Marcus Harris. Coach Adam Voges believes Scorchers blasted beautifully, but they were disappointed to lose to a special performance and the last ball of the game. They now know their fate.
Scorchers face a clash with the upcoming ILT20 in the UAE, leaving a hole in their middle order. Injured skipper Ashton Turner is out, and opener Steve Eskinazi is undergoing scans.
Late signing Marcus Harris is likely to be called up against Strikers, having played 14 matches for Scorchers from 2014-16. Voges believes Harris fits in well with the team.
Scorchers are considering bringing in seamer Matt Kelly, who has recovered from a quad injury, to replace Nick Hobson for their last two games. Kelly has been a reliable option, but Scorchers may consider recalling him if needed.
They also face the challenge of controlling Strikers captain Matthew Short. He has hit the most runs in a ten-match BBL regular season. Voges believes that Scorchers need to execute better in a game expected to attract 45,000 fans. Matthew Short is the form player and best player in the competition at the moment.
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