Fantasy suggestions for the Challenger of BBL 2020-21
Feb 4: Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers, Canberra
Pro Tip: The Scorchers have lost each of their three games at the Manuka Oval this season. Their bowlers have only taken a combined seven wickets on this ground, so trim your bowling options from the Scorchers for this game.
Our XI: Chris Lynn, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson
Substitutes: Joe Denly, Ben Laughlin, Jason Roy, Andrew Tye
Player Availability: No major changes expected from the last game for both sides
We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates, so please finalise your team after the toss
Captain: Marnus Labuschagne
The latest cricketing sensation Marnus Labuschagne, who has been setting the international circuit on fire, has been replicating his form in T20s too with both bat and ball for the Heat, scoring 161 runs and picking up ten wickets in five games. He has been the highest fantasy points aggregator in four of the five games for his side.
Vice-captain: Chris Lynn
Even though he missed four games due to injury, Lynn is still the leading run scorer for his side by a mile with 436 runs at a stellar strike rate of 156.27. He has been a much improved player of spin this BBL, scoring at an average of 33.60 and a strike rate of 138.84, and is likely to dominate Fawad Ahmed once again. The last time he faced Ahmed, Lynn scored 24 runs from nine balls.
Hot Picks
Colin Munro: The fourth-highest run-scorer this BBL season with 441 runs in 14 games, Munro is enjoying a dream season. He has not been at his best against spin this season, averaging only 26.66 and that is the only reason he is not in our captaincy options. His average against pace is 40.14. He is likely to get another good start.
Josh Inglis: Inglis has been nothing short of a revelation for the Scorchers since last season’s BBL. He is on track for another 400-plus run season having scored 391 runs in 15 games at an average of 35.54 and a strike rate of 142.18 this season. He has been a terrific player of spin scoring at an average of 40.66 this season.
Mitchell Swepson: Swepson and Labuschagne have formed a spin duo, picking up 18 wickets in just five games after their return from the national side. Swepson has picked up a couple of wickets in each of his last four games and is one of the key reasons for the Heat’s unbeaten four-game winning streak in must-win games.
Differential Picks
Sam Heazlett: Brought back into the side to have a left-handed batting option in the middle order, Heazlett has exceeded expectations and delivered a match-winning 49-ball 74* against the Sydney Thunder to take his side to the Challenger. He has scored 166 runs in four games at the Manuka Oval at an average of 55.33 and a strike rate of 149.54.
Jimmy Peirson: The experienced T20 wicketkeeping-batsman has been on song with the bat in this edition of BBL, scoring the second-most runs for the Heat: 309 runs in 15 innings. His batting average of 51.50 is the best in this season (minimum four games). This is by far his best BBL season with the bat and he has also effected ten dismissals behind the stumps.
Alternate Scenarios
- Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone can be swapped
- If you need an additional bowler from the Scorchers, add Tye in place of Marsh
- Munro and Swepson are the other captaincy options for this game