Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat predictions and cricket betting tips

Where to watch

Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 8.30am Saturday

Best bet

Aaron Hardie top Perth Scorchers runscorer
1pt 10-3 Hills

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Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat: Big Bash final preview

Brisbane Heat profited from the absence of Sydney Sixers’ star man Steve Smith in Thursday's Big Bash Challenger playoff, but they seem unlikely to again upset the odds in Saturday's title showdown with reigning champions Perth Scorchers.

Despite being bottom of the Big Bash League ladder at times this season, the Heat won seven of their final eight matches to reach Saturday's big dance. But the Scorchers have been a cut above their BBL rivals this season, winning 11 of their 14 regular-season matches, which includes easy seven-wicket and eight-wicket successes over the Heat.

The reigning champions are rightly odds-on to retain their crown given their strength. Bowling attacks win you matches and there have been few better in this season’s competition than Perth's. Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris and Andrew Tye provide pace, while David Payne pitched in with figures of 3-33 in last Saturday's playoff clash with Sixers.

However, they have been just as effective with the bat and Aaron Hardie could be the man to steal the show for the Scorchers in Saturday's final.

Only Adelaide Strikers star Matt Short has scored more runs in this season's BBL than Hardie, who has amassed 443 runs from his 14 matches. That includes four half-centuries, two of which came against the Heat.

The 24-year-old all-rounder made 57 off 33 balls in January’s first encounter with Brisbane before four days later adding 65 from 55 deliveries. 

With another sizeable contribution expected from the destructive Hardie, the Scorchers’ number three could spur them on to trophy honours.

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