AUS T20 League 2023-24

Match 3: STR vs HEA

Preview 

The 23-24 season of the AUS T20 League is up and running. Last season’s runners up Brisbane Heat (HEA) secured a massive win over the Melbourne Stars (STA) on the opening day. They will now take the field against the Adelaide Strikers (STR) on Saturday, December 9 at the Adelaide Oval. STR had a torrid campaign last year and will hence be eager to start the new season with a victory. 

After a disastrous 22-23 campaign, STR will be looking to make amends this season. With only five wins in 14 matches, the Adelaide based franchise failed to secure a spot in the finals. This, despite an exceptional performance by top-order batter Matt Short, who had an impressive run tally of 458 runs, at an average of 35.23 in 14 innings. 

Chris Lynn, certainly, can be the game-changer for the team up top. The attacking opener partnered with all rounder Matthew Short in four second wicket stands, each surpassing 72 runs, for a total of nearly 400 runs and a staggering strike rate in the 140s. 

STR will be thrilled by the inclusion of exciting southpaw D’arcy Short, who will be raring to make an instant impact in the blue jersey. Short, recognised with consecutive Player of the Tournament honours in season 8 and 9 while playing for the Hurricanes (HUR), holds an impressive record as the only player in the tournament’s history to score more than 600 runs and claim double digit wickets in a single campaign. 

Wes Agar was the pick of the bowlers for STR. The lanky pacer took 18 wickets at an average of 20.27. With star bowler Rashid Khan unavailable this season, Agar will have to lead the bowling attack from the front. In the spin department, STR possess the senior duo of Ben Manenti and Cameron Boyce. 

After a heart crushing loss in the final last year, HEA turned the tide with an almost perfect performance in the opening encounter of the new season. They outplayed STA in all three departments to secure a comprehensive 103 run win. Colin Munro hit an unbeaten 99 to power STR to a mammoth 216 batting first. 

Last year, Colin Munro, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Josh Brown and Jimmy Pierson all notched up over 200 runs for HEA. Notably, all but Pierson did so with a menacing strike rate of 135, painting a clear picture of HEA’s stellar performance during the crucial stages. 

While there might be some remorse for not being able to get Sam Hain, the prowess of Sam Billings as a match winner, can come in handy for them. He also led Oval Invincible (OVI) to a title win in the Men’s Hundred. 

Micheal Neser will lead the bowling attack for the Brisbane based franchise. He was the second leading wicket taker with an impressive tally of 26 wickets. Spencer Johnson, on the other hand, had a marvellous season, picking up 9 wickets in the previous AUS T20 League season, grabbing headlines with a brilliant spell of 3 for 1 against the Manchester Originals in the Hundred. His hard work paid off as the express pacer was rewarded with a maiden call up for Australia in ODIs. 

Match Details

Match: STR vs HEA, 3rd Match, AUS T20 League 2023-24

Date: Saturday, December 09, 2023

Time: 1:45 PM

Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Pitch and Weather Report

The iconic Adelaide Oval offers a true playing surface that usually remains the same throughout the game. Since, this is the first match of the 23-24 season at this venue, this pitch is expected to favour the batters. Bowlers, however, should extract good bounce and carry from the wicket. 

166 is the average first innings total at this venue. 232 is the highest total posted here by the Sydney Thunders (THU) against the Sydney Sixers (SIX) in 2021. Light showers are expected in the morning but the weather for the most part of the match should be cool and cloudy. 

STR vs HEA Squads

STR: Matthew Short (c), Harry Nielsen (wk), Chris Lynn, D Arcy Short, Jake Weatherald , Adam Hose, James Bazley, Jamie Overton, Wes Agar, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Boyce, Ben Manenti, Henry Thornton

HEA: Colin Munro (c), Sam Billings (wk), Charlie Wakim, Max Bryant, Paul Walter, Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Jack Wood, Josh Brown, Jack Wildermuth, Lachlan Hearne

STR vs HEA Probable Playing XIs

STR: Matthew Short (C), D'Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Adam Hose, Jake Weatherald, Harry Nielsen (WK), Jamie Overton, James Bazley, Wes Agar, Cameron Boyce, Henry Thornton

HEA: Josh Brown, Colin Munro (C), Charlie Wakim, Sam Billings (WK), Max Bryant, Paul Walter, Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhneman, Spencer Johnson

Match Prediction

After an emphatic win in their opening fixture, HEA will be heading here with a world of confidence. They will be keen to carry forward their winning momentum. STR on the other hand will eye a strong start. They have quality players in their ranks, who on their day, can single handedly determine the result of the contest. 

We predict HEA to win this encounter. 

Suggested Playing XI Real11 Fantasy Cricket



Team 1

Team 2