Big Bash League 2022-23 Final: Combined Playing XI of Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat

The 12^th edition of the Big Bash League has now come to its end as Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat are set to lock horns in the final of the tournament. Both teams play this match at the Perth Stadium in Perth on Saturday, the 4^th of January. Both teams will be counting on their star including the likes of Camron Bancroft for Perth and Brisbane’s Michael Neser.

They will try to field their best XIs in the title clash of the BBL 2022. With said that, here we’ll have a look at the combined playing XI of both the teams participating in the summit clash of the 2022-23 edition of this prestigious Australian franchise T20 League.

Here’s a look at the combined playing XI of the BBL final between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat:

Openers - Colin Munro and Usman Khawaja

Speaking of the best compatible opening pair for this combined playing XI from the final of the Big Bash League 2022-23 can be Colin Munro and Usman Khawaja. The former is currently in action with the Desert Vipers as a skipper in the ongoing International League T20 in UAE.

Colin Munro has played a few crucial knocks in his last five T20 appearances for the Vipers. He can be accompanied by his Brisbane Heat teammate and senior Australian Southpaw Usman Khawaja who played a brilliant knock of 94 runs off just 55 balls in the eliminator against Sydney Thunders.

Middle-order Batter - Faf du Plessis, Ashton Turner (C), and Sam Billings (Wicketkeeper-batter)

Discussing the middle-order of this playing XI, it would be the former Proteas skipper and batting star Faf du Plessis. Notably, Faf is currently leading the franchise team of Joburg Super Kings in the ongoing SA20 League. Faf can provide crucial stability in the middle-order of this combined playing XI.

Faf can have his back in the middle-order from the skipper of this XI, none other than Perth captain Ashton Turner alongside Brisbane’s wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings. The trio can be dubbed as the brilliant setup in the middle order of this perfect and star-studded XI.

All-rounders - Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser

Marnus Labuschagne proved his worth with the bat for Brisbane Heat in the all-important eliminator against Sydney Thunders. He smashed 73 runs off 48 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes to his name. He could be a great prospect as an all-rounder in this combined playing XI.

Labuschagne can have the great company of his teammate and the hero of the challenger match against Sydney Sixers, Michael Neser. The latter first scalped two wickets by 28 runs in his quota of four overs and later on also played a match-defining unbeaten knock of 48 runs off 32 balls with seven boundaries to his name. Later on, Neser was named the ‘player of the match for his amazing performance.

Bowlers - Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Mark Steketee, and Xavier Bartlett

The pace trio that could be perfect in this playing XI looks perfect with the names of Andrew Tye, Mark Steketee, and Xavier Bartlett in it. Although the last five appearances haven’t been promising as expected for Tye his experience can work in this case to fit in the XI. Another two pacers in the XI could be from Brisbane Heat including the likes of Mark Steketee and Xavier Bartlett. This duo might provide depth in the pace bowling lineup with their pace and consistency with the speed.

Apart from that, the specialist spinner in this playing XI would be senior Aussie left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar. The 29-year-old can also put a balance in the bowling lineup alongside his Perth teammate and pacer, Andre Tye.