GameDay Squad AUS Cricket Round 31 Preview: The Perth Scorchers take on the Brisbane Heat in the 35th match of BBL13 in Perth at the OPTUS Stadium and the Melbourne Renegades take on the Melbourne Stars in the 36th match of BBL13 in Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday the 13th of January.
Here's everything you need to know ....
Predicted Teams
Game 1
Perth Scorchers: 1. Steve Eskinazi, 2. Sam Whiteman, 3. Aaron Hardie, 4. Josh Inglis, 5. Laurie Evans, 6. Cooper Connolly, 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Jhye Richardson, 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Lance Morris, 11. Jason Behrendorff
Brisbane Heat: 1. Josh Brown, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Nathan McSweeney, 4. Matt Renshaw, 5. Sam Billings, 6. Paul Walter, 7. Xavier Bartlett, 8. Michael Neser, 9. Spencer Johnson, 10. Mitchell Swepson, 11. Matthew Kuhnemann Game 2
Melbourne Renegades: 1. Jordan Cox, 2. Shaun Marsh, 3. Jake Fraser-McGurk, 4. Aaron Finch, 5. Jono Wells, 6. Will Sutherland, 7. Akeal Hosein, 8. Tom Rogers, 9. Fergus O’Neill, 10. Kane Richardson, 11. Adam Zampa
Melbourne Stars: 1. Tom Rogers, 2. Dan Lawrence, 3. Beau Webster, 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. Marcus Stoinis, 6. Hilton Cartwright, 7. Peter Handscomb, 8. Imad Wasim, 9. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 10. Joel Paris, 11. Scott Boland
Start Vs Sit
Batters - Laurie Evans vs Shaun Marsh
Evans has been impressive this season and has ranked as one of the top three batsmen in four of his five matches, when he spends time at the crease. When he played against the Heat a couple of days ago, he scored 51 runs off 29 balls. Marsh has played four matches in BBL13 and averages 39 points. He's had two innings where he has scored 50+ runs and in the other innings he didn't really trouble the scorers. As middle order batsmen tend to score well in Perth, I'm leaning towards Evans. However, I do think Marsh can be a very good POD option. Especially if the Renegades bat second.
Start: Laurie Evans
All-Rounder - Michael Neser vs Beau Webster
Neser had has best game of the season against the Scorchers. He scored 145 points and this was the second best score by any player in AUS Cricket. Prior to this game, Neser was averaging 37 points, he is now averaging 52 points. Webster is the 7th ranked all-rounder in AUS Cricket with an average of 55 points. Over his seven matches, he has been ranked as one of the top four all-rounders on four occasions. Even after Neser's brilliant performance, I'm leaning towards starting Webster. I prefer Webster because of the favorable matchup against the Renegades. Middle order batsmen average 42 points against the Renegades. Over the BBL12 and BBL13 seasons, middle order batsmen average 48 points at Marvel Stadium.
Start: Beau Webster
Bowler - Lance Morris / Spencer Johnson
It's a battle between two of the fastest bowlers in the BBL for my third starting spot. Morris averages 47 points over his six matches and has taken ten wickets. Johnson averages 36 points over his seven matches and has taken nine wickets. Both players have been ranked as one of the top three bowlers in a match on three occasions. Both the Heat and Scorchers have been allowing an average of around 34 points to pace bowlers. Over the BBL12 and BBL13 seasons, pace bowlers have averaged seven points more when they bowl in the first innings.
Start: Whoever bowls in the first innings out of Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson
Game 1
Matchup Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Opening and middle order batsmen have struggled to score against the Heat
Spin bowlers have struggled to score against the Scorchers
Opening batsmen have had success against the Scorchers
Ground Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Avoid starting spin bowlers
Lower order batsmen have been able to score well here
Pace bowlers have scored well here in the first innings
Game 2
Matchup Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Opening batsmen have scored well against the Stars
Middle order batsmen have scored well against the Renegades
Pace bowlers have scored well against the Stars
Ground Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Opening batsmen in the first innings have struggled to score
Avoid spin bowlers if they bowl in the second innings
Middle order batsmen have scored well here
Hot Take
The Stars will lose both openers early. Webster and Maxwell will put on a 100 run partnership for the third wicket with both of them scoring half centuries.
Who to play in your GDS starting XI
BAT - Colin Munro
BAT - Jake Fraser-McGurk
BAT - Laurie Evans
ALL - Glenn Maxwell
ALL - Paul Walter
ALL - Aaron Hardie
ALL - Beau Webster
WK - Josh Inglis
BWL - Jason Behrendorff
BWL - Scott Boland
BWL - Lance Morris / Spencer Johnson