Perth Scorchers will look to move one step closer to a place in the semifinals when they host the Adelaide Strikers at the WACA in the Big Bash League on Thursday.
Where to Watch Live
The match is scheduled for a 7.40 pm AET (2.10 pm IST) start with live coverage on Channel 10 in Australia and Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD1 in India. The action can be watched via live streaming online in Australia HERE. Catch the action live online in the US HERE, while Africa viewers can do the same HERE. Live stream the action in the UK HERE.
The penultimate round of the BBL kicks off with an intriguing clash which sees a side on the brink of qualification to the final four, against a team that needs to win their remaining matches to make the semis.
The Scorchers are currently in second place on eight points, but just four point separate them from Melbourne Renegades in seventh, making the final couple of rounds an interesting one.
"Destiny is in our own hands in the sense that if we win tomorrow we can have a semifinal and push for a home semifinal," Scorchers coach Justin Langer said on Wednesday. "That's the exciting part, when you know you can control the outcome.
"It's always nice to play in front of your home crowd. We'll have some advantage, we get to play on this wicket more often than the others. We're starting to gain some home ground advantage."
The Scorchers have been boosted by the return of Pat Cummins from a long-term injury, with Ryan Duffield making way for the exciting fast bowler.
Cummins suffered a stress fracture to his back last year, but has been finally given the all-clear by the physios to have a crack at the opposing batsmen.
"I played two weeks for Perth Cricket Club and I felt OK," Cummins was quoted as saying by Scorchers' official website. "The first week was a little scratchy, but I was really happy with how I went on the weekend.
"Outside of that, I've been bowling in the nets every couple of days for the last five or six weeks. I feel really confident with where the body's at and they're coming out ok, so hopefully I can let loose in the game.
"I've been building up in the nets for a while and I think that was the key before coming in; building up and getting some confidence with my body. Bowling at full pace for the last three or four weeks, I've got that confidence and it's only four overs. In terms of headspace, I'm not too worried."
Meanwhile, at the other end, the Strikers have received a major blow after Michael Klinger was ruled out with a hamstring strain. That loss has been offset, at least in terms of experience, by the return of skipper Johan Botha, who has recovered from a thumb fracture.
"It's going to be interesting to see how he goes when he bats on this bouncy wicket," Langer said on targeting Botha. "He's a very good leader, I know he has a big impact on South Australian cricket. I'm sure they'll welcome him back.
"Equally we'll be aggressive against him on this bouncy wicket."
Squads: Perth Scorchers: Simon Katich (capt), Yasir Arafat, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Brad Hogg, Mitch Marsh, Craig Simmons, Alfonso Thomas, Ashton Turner, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman.
Adelaide Strikers: Johan Botha (capt), Jono Dean, Alex Hales, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Phillip Hughes, Trent Lawford, Tim Ludeman, Michael Neser, Gary Putland, Nathan Reardon, Kane Richardson, Shaun Tait.
