BBL 7, 1st Semi-Final: Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes – Match Predictions

After a break of four days, the Big Bash League (BBL) action resumes tomorrow (February 1) as the Perth Scorchers and the Hobart Hurricanes face each other in the first semi-final. The Scorchers were the most successful team at the league stage as they lost only 2 out of their 10 games. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, had a bit of an indifferent run. They lost a couple of games initially before getting on a winning streak of 5 games only to lose the plot again and finished the league with 3 losses on the trot.

The Scorchers and the Hurricanes have come across each other once so far in BBL 7 and that resulted in a Scorchers’ win as they beat the Purple army by 5 wickets at the WACA. However, WACA is not going to host tomorrow’s game as it will be hosted by the Scorchers’ new home venue, the Perth Stadium.

Pitch Report

The 5th game of the recently concluded ODI series between England and Australia took place at the Perth Stadium and the pitch for that game was quite a sporting one. There was a little bit of help for the seam bowlers, but it was by no means an unplayable pitch and the batsmen who applied themselves ended up getting good scores.

It is expected to be the same sort of surface again and while it may not turn out to be an overly high scoring game, it will be a riveting contest between the bat and the ball for sure. The team winning the toss will want to bat first as it’s a knockout and runs on the board always helps in pressure games.

Playing Combination

Perth Scorchers

With the comeback of Shaun and Mitchell Marsh, the Scorchers are looking an even stronger unit. Unless and until the Hurricanes punch above their weight, the Scorchers should be winning this game. While they have got some wonderful hitters of the cricket ball, they, at the same time, there is a lot of class and touch players who can milk the bowling and allow the power players to go about their business. It’s a balanced batting unit.

And not to forget the fiery pace duo of Mitchell Johnson and Jhye Richardson to go with the subtle variations of Tim Bresnan which makes the Scorchers pretty formidable with the ball as well.

Predicted XI: Adam Voges (C), Cameron Bancroft (WK), Will Bosisto, Tim Bresnan, Hilton Cartwright, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner

Hobart Hurricanes

The Hurricanes squad has also received a huge boost by the return of Tim Paine. While the 33-year-old won’t be captaining the side, he will be adding a calm approach up top and will be an ideal foil for the little pocket dynamo D’Arcy Short.

The onus of finishing the innings will be upon the veteran all-rounder Dan Christian and the young sensation Ben McDermott who has attracted everyone’s attention with his six hitting ability this season. With the ball, the X-factor for the Hurricanes will be Jofra Archer and the leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, but the eyes must be on Riley Meredith as well who may be playing his first BBL game tomorrow.

Predicted XI: George Bailey (C), Jofra Archer, Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Alex Doolan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, Clive Rose, Tim Paine, Matthew Wade

Here’s what we, at CricTracker predict will be the final result:

Probable top performers

Michael Klinger (Perth Scorchers) | Cameron Boyce (Hobart Hurricanes)

Head to Head

Total games played – 8| Perth Scorchers won – 6| Hobart Hurricanes won – 2

Timings of the match: 02:10 PM IST

Broadcast Details

TV – SonyESPN

Online – SonyLIV

The prediction is for the Perth Scorchers to win the game.