ADS vs PER 48th Match Prediction

ADS vs PER Team Previews

Adelaide Strikers

It’s now or never for the Strikers, as they may have fourth place but are tied on 10 points with the Hurricanes and Thunder. Losing three games in a row is never a good look, especially when one of those was a massive loss to the Sixers by 59 runs (including a Steve Smith century).

The Strikers will have the toughest test against the Scorchers and they are probably not the opponent they’d like at the moment. Fast bowler Peter Siddle will be out injured for a while, which means bowlers Wes Agar (17 wickets) and Henry Thornton (16) will have to step up their game.

Batting shouldn’t be a problem with Matt Short in the line-up, as he’s the league’s top scorer (458 with 42 fours and 18 sixes) and simply playing out of his mind. Short has taken over the mantle of “Best Batter” now that Chris Lynn has gone. Adam Hose has been pretty reliable with 271, but is failing to score anything big – he’s failed to reach past 40 in his past six games.

Captain Travis Head has been unspectacular in his return, scoring just six runs in two games, but Alex Carey was fantastic with a half-century against Sydney. If the Strikers can have all their batters having a great game at once, then they can certainly defeat Perth.

Perth Scorchers

Perth may have stumbled with a loss to the Sixers, but they brought everything back around with a statement victory over Hobart with 15 balls remaining. Things looked a bit shaky when Eskinazi went for a duck and Bancroft was dismissed, but there was really never worry to be had.

Hardie (90*) and Inglis (53) steadied the ship and brought home success to Perth, but more than that, the team proved to the rest of the BBL that they’re the ones to beat for the trophy. Inglis has 377 total runs and Hardie is next with 369, so this is easily the best batting duo in the league.

It was also an impressive bowling effort from the Scorchers, as both Andrew Tye (22 total wickets) and Lance Morris destroyed the Hurricanes’ batters. Tye went 2/30, but Morris was the best on the day with 2/21. Perth is nearly unbeatable if Morris continues to bowl this well.