GameDay Squad AUS Cricket Round 34 Preview: The Perth Scorchers take on the Sydney Sixers in the 39th match of BBL13 in Perth at Perth Stadium on Tuesday the 16th of January.
Here's everything you need to know ....
Predicted Teams
Perth Scorchers: 1. Steve Eskinazi, 2. Sam Whiteman, 3. Aaron Hardie, 4. Josh Inglis, 5. Laurie Evans, 6. Cooper Connolly, 7. Ashton Agar, 8. Nick Hobson, 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Lance Morris, 11. Jason Behrendorff
Sydney Sixers: 1. Josh Philippe, 2. James Vince, 3. Daniel Hughes, 4. Moises Henriques, 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Jack Edwards, 7. Hayden Kerr, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Sean Abbott, 10. Jackson Bird, 11. Steve O'Keefe
Start Vs Sit
Batters - Steve Eskinazi vs Jack Edwards
Eskinazi has only played the two matches this season and he has averaged 26 points across these matches. Edwards has been having a good season and averages 40 points. Edwards has ranked as one of the top three batsmen in a match in four of his seven matches. I have Eskinazi ranked slightly ahead of Edwards for this match and this is because Kerr is now back in the Sixers starting XI. With the inclusion of Kerr, I can't really see Edwards bowling his full complement of overs and this lowers his ceiling. Even though Eskinazi hasn't played much and averages less than Edwards, I think he offers a higher ceiling. My opinion on who to start may change but that all depends on the makeup of the Sixers starting XI.
Start: Steve Eskinazi
All-Rounder - Ashton Agar vs Moises Henriques
After a slow start, Agar has been one of the inform all-rounders over the last couple of weeks and averages 62 points in his last three matches. Henriques started BBL13 well and averaged 49 points over his first three matches. Since then he has only been ranked as one of the top four all-rounders in a match in one of his last four matches. Over this period he averages 16 points. The form in fantasy for these players has been going in opposite directions and I'll be starting Agar as he is more familiar with the conditions at OPTUS Stadium.
Start: Ashton Agar
Bowler - Jason Behrendorff vs Jackson Bird
It has been a lottery to choose which Scorchers pace bowlers to start this season. They have all had very good performances at times and some where they haven't really been fantasy relevant. For this match, I have Behrendorff ranked third out of the Scorchers pace bowlers and have him battling it out with Bird for the third bowling spot in the GDS starting XI. In the bowlers ranks for AUS Cricket, Behrendorff is ranked 6th with an average of 49 points and Bird is ranked 7th with an average of 46 points. Behrendorff has ranked as one of the top three bowlers in a match in three of his seven matches. Bird has ranked as one of the top three bowlers in a match in all of his four matches. I like Bird in this match as he has been more consistent and I think he has the potential to trouble the batsmen more than what Behrendorff can.
Start: Jackson Bird
Matchup Matrix
Key Takeaways:
Middle order batsmen haven't scored well against the Sixers
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
Hot Take
Sean Abbott will take 3+ wickets as he helps the Sixers win and secure a date with the Heat in Qualifier 1.
Who to play in your GDS starting XI
BAT - James Vince
BAT - Laurie Evans
BAT - Steve Eskinazi
ALL - Aaron Hardie
ALL - Hayden Kerr
ALL - Sean Abbott
ALL - Ashton Agar
WK - Josh Philippe
BWL - Lance Morris
BWL - Andrew Tye
BWL - Jackson Bird