Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat: Big Bash Saturday preview

Adelaide Strikers have reached the knockout stage of the Big Bash League in four of the last five editions of the competition but they currently sit bottom of the table after losing five of their first seven games.

On Saturday they take on the Brisbane Heat, who are defending champions, at the Adelaide Oval knowing that defeat would end the home team’s hopes of reaching the play-offs.

The Heat are in the middle of a congested BBL table and a victory on the road would see them make crucial ground in the race for the knockout stages.

Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat betting preview

Heat looking to continue impressive record against Strikers

The Brisbane Heat will take plenty of confidence from their recent record against the Adelaide Strikers, they have won six of the last seven completed meetings between the pair and are 1.85 to add to that tally.

The Heat ran out winners by three wickets when these two met before Christmas as an unbeaten 78 from Nathan McSweeney fired them to victory.

The 25-year-old has had three single-figure knocks in his four innings since then but will have been boosted by selection for the Australian Test team’s tour of Sri Lanka. He is 4.75 to be the Heat’s top scorer in this game.

Neither Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja will be available for the away team in this game however, they will only feature against the Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday.

Englishman Paul Walter will also miss out with a slight shoulder injury and is set to be replaced in the squad by Daniel Drew.

Captain Short may return

Adelaide Strikers captain Matt Short has been absent for his team’s last three games as he struggles with a toe injury but he may be set to return for this clash.

In his absence former Brisbane Heat opener Chris Lynn has stepped up to open the batting and has impressed, making totals of 88 and 49 in his last two matches.

He is 5.00 to top score for the Strikers against his former team.

Adelaide will also be boosted by the return of Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who will make his first appearance of this year’s competition.

The glovesman averages 34.66 in the Big Bash at a strike rate of 128.91, he is a 4.00 shot to top score for the hosts in this game.

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Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat odds

Adelaide Strikers - 1.97
Brisbane Heat - 1.85

View the full market and more odds for Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.