The Perth Scorchers will host the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League final on Saturday, with the home side heading in as overwhelming favourites.
But the Heat have shown they are not a side to be underestimated by surviving three straight do-or-die finals to make it to Perth.
They play an exciting brand of cricket, and have scored the most boundaries of any side this BBL summer – with 87 sixes and a whopping 213 fours.
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For all you need to know about the Big Bash League decider:
WHO: Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat
WHERE: Perth Stadium
WHEN: Saturday, February 4 with first ball from 7.30pm AEDT
ODDS (via Betr): Perth Scorchers $1.44, Brisbane Heat $2.72
84 from Turner erupts BBL QF | 01:21
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Perth 2 – Brisbane 0
Jan 7: Perth 3-173 (16.3) defeat Brisbane 9-171 (20) – Scorchers win by 7 wickets
Jan 11: Brisbane 6-155 (20) defeated by Perth 2-157 (16.2) – Scorchers win by 8 wickets
The Perth Scorchers have claimed bragging rights over the Brisbane Heat so far this tournament, claiming big wins in both encounters. Scorchers opener Cam Bancroft was player of the match in their first meeting, with an unbeaten 76 off just 48 balls to guide Perth home. While in game two it was paceman Jason Behrendorff who claimed best on ground honours for his 3-21 off four overs at the Gabba.
ROAD TO FINAL
Perth: The Qualifier: Scorchers 3-154 (18.3) defeat Sixers 8-151 (20) – Perth win by 7 wickets
Brisbane: The Eliminator: Thunder 1-52 (6.5) defeated by Heat 5-203 (203) – Brisbane win by 8 runs (DLS method)
The Knockout: Renegades 5-162 (20) defeated by Heat 3-164 (18.5) – Brisbane win by 7 wickets
The Challenger: Sixers 9-116 (20) defeated by Heat 6-117 (18.2) – Brisbane win by 4 wickets
SUMMER SCORCHER
The Brisbane Heat have touched down in Perth in the middle of a summer heatwave. Temperatures are forecast to hit 38C on Saturday, with up to 35km/h east-north-easterly winds predicted in the evening.
It’s expected the temperature will remain above 30C for the duration of the final.
WILL HISTORY REPEAT?
The Brisbane Heat have won just one Big Bash League title – and that win came as massive underdogs against the Scorchers in Perth back in 2013. Script sound familiar?
A decade on, and Brisbane are back in the same scenario as they once again travel west as rank outsiders searching for a title victory.
Back in 2013, it was West Aussie Luke Pomersbach who did the damage for the Heat against his home state as he smashed 37 before Joe Burns and Dan Christian put on 80 between them.
Set 168 for victory, the Scorchers were on the backfoot from the get go as Marcus Stoinis (1) and Shaun Marsh (16) fell early. Only now-Scorchers coach Adam Voges put up a fight with 49 off just 32 balls.
But when he fell in the 18th over, so too did Perth’s hopes as the Heat recorded a brilliant win in the second Big Bash final.
Heat import Kemar Roach took 3-18 off his four overs in a devastating spell, while Brisbane’s Nathan Hauritz was named man of the match for his three catches and 0-11 off three overs at an economy of just 3.66.
HOME GROUND ADVANTAGE
Brisbane Heat captain Jimmy Peirson says it’s no secret Perth Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for his side.
And history shows the Heat have won just once in four attempts.
While their 2013 title win in Perth came at the WACA Ground, the Scorchers have made Perth Stadium their fortress since its opening in 2018.
“Coming here, it’s very hard to win here,” Peirson said.
“I think my entire career I’ve won once in Perth!
“It’s a tough trip to come over and beat them at home.
“There won’t be a single teal shirt there I don’t think.
“They are a very parochial group (of fans in Perth). They’re going to be all against us but I myself feel very privileged to go over there and play this game.
“Can’t wait to get across there. It’s a challenge but we’re up for it.”
Brisbane are on a three-game losing streak at Perth Stadium, having last tasted victory back in 2019.
Just two players from that five-wicket win remain in the squad for Saturday’s final – Peirson and Max Bryant.
Since then, the Heat have coughed up an average 181 runs per game to the Scorchers at Perth Stadium.
Heat can still win without Aussie stars | 00:43
PLAYER TO WATCH
Perth Scorchers: Cameron Bancroft
There were doubts how Perth would go when both openers Faf du Plessis and Adam Lyth departed for other opportunities mid-tournament. But waiting in the wings was Cam Bancroft.
Given his first opportunity New Year’s Day, Bancroft has been one of Perth’s best with four half centuries to his name.
Fox Cricket’s Mike Hussey said Bancroft had been “brilliant” since his call up for Perth.
“I’m really happy for him – what he’s been through over the last couple of years must have been extremely challenging for him from a personal sense,” he said on SEN.
“He’s done it beautifully. He’s really developed his game.
“He’s been an important addition.”
Hussey said he had no doubt Bancroft’s form would make Australian selectors take notice.
“All these players from all round the country, all they can do is just beat down the doors by putting runs on the board. That’s something (Bancroft) has done consistently well,” he said.
“Now he’s getting back to his best cricket. He’s getting more experience as well.
“I think if he keeps putting the runs on the board, they can’t ignore him forever.”
Usman en route to India after visa issue | 01:08
Brisbane Heat: Josh Brown
He’s the virtual unknown who came into the Heat’s line up with a bang on New Year’s Day.
But Josh Brown looms as the danger man for Brisbane in their Big Bash League final against Perth.
His 62 off just 23 balls against the talented Sydney Sixers attack stunned the cricket world with the likes of Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist instantly among his biggest fans.
“I’ve just found my new favourite player – I love him, Josh Brown,” Gilchrist said.
Brown’s been handed the task of getting the Heat off to a flyer at the top of the order, and so far he’s been hit or miss. Scores of 62*, 39, 34 and 26 are matched by 0, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
But it only takes one good knock for Brown to get the job done for the Heat. The last time he played in Perth, Brown scored 34 off just 21 balls.
“We’ve seen in finals that it can just be one performance from one player so you never know, Browny could smash 100 off not many balls and take the game away from them or it could be somebody else,” teammate Michael Neser said.
“It’s going to be a tough game, we’re under no illusions that it’s not going to be a walk in the park.”
Brown said he was focused on going big at Perth Stadium.
“I didn’t think I’d even be playing at the start of the year,” he said.
“I’ll just keep trying to play my game and hit as many sixes as I can really.”
‘What is happening?!’ Bizarre DRS! | 02:15
RECORD BECKONS
The Perth Scorchers are the most successful franchise in Big Bash League history.
They are four-time BBL champions and the only side in history to ever claim titles back-to-back.
Now in 2022/23, they are striving to achieve that rare feat for a second time, after victory in the 2021/22 series away from home in Melbourne due to Covid border restrictions.
Scorchers all-rounder Aaron Hardie said last year’s title galvanised the group as they came together in a series played completely away from home – besides their opener.
“I think that’s something the Scorchers have become really good at over the last couple of years,” Hardie said
“Last year was under a lot of adversity.
“We aim to win every competition that we play – that’s plenty of motivation for us.”
While Perth are aiming for their 5th crown, Brisbane are seeking their second – becoming only the third team in BBL history to win more than one title.
EXPERT WATCH
The Heat are underdogs with both the punters and commentators it seems.
Fox Cricket duo Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh believe it will take something special from the Heat to knock off the Scorchers in Perth – despite Brisbane’s remarkable upset win over the Sydney Sixers on Thursday night.
“They’ll have no drama going in as underdogs with very few fancying them,” Gilchrist said.
“I think like the rest of the cricketing world and those who follow the Big Bash, (Perth) will be surprised (the Heat won through).
“But they’ll know anything’s possible on any given day, that’s the nature of the beast in T20 cricket.
“The Scorchers are such a humble unit they’ll be sitting back going, lets focus on the team we know we’re playing against.
“They wouldn’t have assumed anything.”
Host of stars missing for Heat | 00:55
Waugh said the Heat’s trio in attack would need to be on-song if they’re any chance of victory.
“(Michael) Neser, (Spencer) Johnson, (James) Bazley – they are going to come over with their tail up. They’ve come from fifth (on the BBL table),” Waugh said.
“(Johnson’s) going to be a threat for the Scorchers over there.
“I think he’ll be the biggest threat for Perth’s top four.
“(But) you’d have to think it’d be an even bigger upset Saturday night to knock off the Scorchers.”
