The Perth Scorchers will attempt to fight fire with fire when they lock horns with the Adelaide Strikers in Thursday night’s Twenty20 clash at the WACA.
In a mouth-watering pace showdown, veteran Strikers paceman Shaun Tait will go head-to-head with emerging speedster Pat Cummins on what is expected to be a fast and bouncy wicket.
Tait holds the record for the fastest delivery ever recorded by an Australian after being clocked at 160.7km/h while playing against Pakistan in 2010.
Earlier this month, Tait delivered a bouncer that broke the helmet of Englishman Michael Lumb.
But in the form of Cummins, the Scorchers possess a speed demon capable of matching Tait’s fire.
Cummins, who will be making his Scorchers debut, reached speeds of 155km/h in 2011 before foot and back injuries put his career on hold.
The 20-year-old has since remodelled his action, but Scorchers coach Justin Langer is confident his star paceman will still be able to unleash his trademark menace.
“From our point of view, that’s why we signed him – to see one of the world’s fastest bowlers bowl at the WACA,” Langer said on Wednesday.
“It doesn’t get much more exciting than that.
“It’s going to be nice to see Shaun Tait and Pat Cummins bowling here.
“I think it’s going to be two of the fastest bowlers in Australia – it’s going to be great for the game.”
Adelaide will probably need at least two victories from their remaining three games if they are to sneak into the top-four.
Perth (4-2) will take a big step towards locking up a home semi-final if they can beat the Strikers.
“Destiny is in our own hands,” Langer said.
The Strikers will be without star batsman Michael Klinger (hamstring), but captain Johan Botha will return despite still nursing a broken thumb.
“We’ll be aggressive against him on this bouncy wicket,” Langer said.
Strikers:Johan Botha (capt), Jono Dean, Alex Hales, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Phillip Hughes, Trent Lawford, Tim Ludeman, Michael Neser, Gary Putland, Nathan Reardon, Kane Richardson, Shaun Tait.
Scorchers: Simon Katich (capt), Yasir Arafat, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Brad Hogg, Mitch Marsh, Craig Simmons, Alfonso Thomas, Ashton Turner, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman.