The Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers will face off at the WACA on Tuesday in the first semi-final of this summer’s Rebel Women’s Big Bash League
WBBL|02 - Semi-final Preview
Perth Scorchers will be looking to go one better after last year’s semi-final loss to the Sydney Thunder when they take on the Heat at #TheFurnace on Tuesday.
The Scorchers finished the season in second spot with 16 points while the Heat snuck into third after edging past the Strikers in a thrilling super over on Saturday.
The two fierce rivals have clashed twice this season with honours being shared. First it was the Scorchers that thumped the Heat by eight wickets after their bowlers did an admirable job to restrict the Heat to just 9-101 in 20 overs.
The Heat returned favour 24 hours later by confining the Scorchers to 9-94 before Beth Mooney fired on all cylinders to remain unbeaten on 67 from 48 balls.
If the Scorchers are to outmuscle the Scorchers they will need to dismiss the in-form Beth Mooney early.
The wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 469 runs this season including five fifties and has racked up more than 200 more runs than the Heat’s next highest scorer Kirby Short (254).
The return of West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin from a fractured cheekbone last week gave the Heat another dimension and they will be hoping she can replicate her heroic efforts against the Strikers.
The Heat have been instrumental chasing down totals this season with six out of their eight victories coming when they have batted second.
On the other side of the coin, the Scorchers will be relying on their Southern Stars combo of Ellyse Villani and Nicole Bolton along with inspirational skipper Suzie Bates at the top of the order to provide them a strong foundation with the bat.
The formidable top order unit has helped to post four scores in excess of 130 this season, resulting in three victories and just one loss.
The traditionally hard and fast WACA pitch should also suit their English opening bowling pair of Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole. Also the fact that the Scorchers will have the support of their home crowd may give them a slight edge.
Perth Scorchers squad: Suzie Bates (c), Nicole Bolton, Katherine Brunt, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Lauren Ebsary, Heather Graham, Katie Hartshorn, Emma King, Chloe Piparo, Anya Shrubsole, Emily Smith, Elyse Villani.
Brisbane Heat squad: Kirby Short (c), Beth Mooney, Delissa Kimmince, Lauren Winfield, Deandra Dottin, Jess Jonassen, Laura Harris, Jemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Kara Sutherland, Georgia Prestwidge, Courtney Hill
All the Rebel WBBL finals will be televised live and free on Channel Ten, with streaming also available at cricket.com.au and on the Cricket Australia Live App.