After being defeated in their respective first matches, Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars will both be hunting for their first points when the two sides clash in the Big Bash League on Wednesday. The match will be played at the WACA in Perth.
Perth Scorchers, runners up last year, got off to a losing start as they lost to Adelaide Strikers by six wickets in the final over.
As expected, their batting looked good but it was the bowlers who let the team down. Simon Katich, the captain, will again be expecting runs from his batsmen including Shaun Marsh who scored a brisk half-century.
Adam Voges also scored 58 runs from 41 balls. With Herschelle Gibbs up the order, a tall total is not out of reach.
The problems start with the bowling department though. Nathan Coulter-Nile and Brad Hogg need to bring back their form of last year in a bowling unit missing the usual big names.
For Melbourne Stars, it was a disastrous start to their campaign as they lost to their city rivals Melbourne Renegades.
Captained by Shane Warne, Stars failed to defend a sizable total of 167 as Aaron Finch went wild against some sloppy bowling.
Warne, who was mulling a return to international cricket for next year’s Ashes, took a pounding conceding 41 runs off two overs.
Multiple repeats of such performances could even put his own place under the scanner. He does have the batsmen to deliver the goods.
Luke Wright scored a half century and has been a fluent scorer in the Australian conditions as well. Brad Hodge boasts of plenty of T20 experience worldwide while David Hussey chipped in with 42.
Cameron White is also eager to force his way back in to the national team.
The match starts at 5.00pm local time with a major worry being the expected low crowd turnout.