Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022/23 Big Bash
Perth Scorchers take on Brisbane Heat in match 33 of the 2022/23 Big Bash, the 12th edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 6.15pm local time (10.15am GMT) on Saturday, January 7.
The game will be played in Perth at the Optus Stadium.
Perth Scorchers dropped off the top of the table after first losing to Sydney Thunder, and then watching the Sixers beat Melbourne Stars at the MCG.
It has otherwise been a solid start to their title defence, winning five of their opening seven matches.
Brisbane Heat have only managed two wins from the opening half of the campaign but they come into the game off the back of a victory against Sixers in their last complete game on New Year's Day.
Lance Morris is back in the Scorchers fold (Mike Owen/Getty Images)
With Jhye Richardson ruled out, Scorchers may call on either Lance Morris or David Payne to supplement their attack.
Morris is back with the squad after being released by Australia but with just three wickets in BBL history it might be that the England seamer is given the nod.
The formidable Colin Munro, a BBL winner with Scorchers last season, will post the main challenge at the top of the Heat order in his final game of his stint.
Already with a 98 to his name in BBL|12, the Kiwi struck a rapid 14-ball 38 in the abandoned game against Sixers, hitting six maximums.
He took a particular liking to left-armer Ben Dwarshuis, smashing the first and third balls of the match over the rope.
It will be a mild day in Perth, with highs of 13 degrees Celsius, with a southerly wind throughout. We should get a full game.
Scorchers are expected to be without Richardson for an extended period after the seamer was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Hamish McKenzie is also missing as Scorchers await the results of a scan on a suspected side strain suffered while batting in training.
Morris has joined the squad after being released by Australia while David Payne is available as Tymal Mills' replacement.
Chris Sabburg has also been added to the group as a local replacement player.
Faf du Plessis has departed for the SA20 while the match against Heat is Adam Lyth's last of his spell.
Heat have added Xavier Bartlett to their 14-strong squad to face Scorchers.
But it is the final game of Sam Billings and Munro's spell ahead of them departure for the International League T20.
Perth Scorchers: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Laurie Evans (contract terminated), Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh (injured), Tymal Mills (withdrawn), Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Phil Salt (injured), Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Faf du Plessis (replacing Laurie Evans, first seven matches only), Adam Lyth (replacing Phil Salt, first half only), Stephen Eskinazi, Hamish McKenzie, David Payne (replacement for Tymal Mills for second half of the season)
Brisbane Heat: Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Sam Billings, Max Bryant, Sam Hain, Sam Heazlett, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Ross Whiteley, Jack Wildermuth, Spencer Johnson, Will Prestwidge, Josh Brown
*Squads are for the whole BBL and not specific to this match
Perth Scorchers: Josh Inglis, Adam Lyth, Nick Hobson, Ashton Turner, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, David Payne, Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris, Peter Hatzoglou
Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro, Max Bryant, Sam Billings, Jimmy Peirson, Ross Whiteley, James Bazley, Nathan McSweeney, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson, Mark Steketee, Matthew Kuhnemann
Brisbane Heat celebrate on the way to beat Sydney Sixers (Russell Freeman/Getty Images)
Scorchers understandably start as favourites at 4/6, with Heat rated at 7/5 by the bookmakers.
Despite a recent setback, Scorchers remain the team to beat in the competition and should make light work of Heat.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, with adult tickets starting from $27.
Sky Sports hold the UK rights for the BBL, with coverage split between Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix. This game is available on Sky Sports Mix.
Ball-by-ball radio commentary will also be available via BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds for selected matches.
Fox Sports and Seven Network both have television rights in Australia while coverage will also be available via streaming service Kayo. Fox will show every game while 45 matches, including the knockout stages, will be shown free-to-air on Channel Seven.
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