Match 39, Perth, January 18, 2025, 02:45 PM
Adelaide Strikers
161/10(19.1ov)
Perth Scorchers
163/5(16.2ov)
Perth Scorchers beat Adelaide Strikers by 5 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Jason Behrendorff
Commentry
Right then, that is it from an eventful day here in the Big Bash League and we still don't have a team assured of that final playoff spot. For now, Perth Scorchers are in but there's one final game left in the group stages and that could well spoil the party for the Scorchers. It will be Melbourne Stars taking on Hobart Hurricanes in the 40th Match at the MCG in Melbourne on Sunday at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT) to decide whether the Stars can topple the Scorchers or not. You can also join us an hour in advance for the build-up. Cheers!
Jason Behrendorff is Player of the Match. He says that it is really exciting to win in front if this much huge crowd. Adds that there was a lot of nervousness but they have done pretty well. Adds that Tye doesn’t know that he has a contract for the next year or so and thus he is a bit emotional. They wanted to win it for the team and this crowd. Mentions that he is happy that they have finally won this. Talks about the sixes hit by Cooper Connolly in the end that he is a special player and is very much capable of doing these things.
Earlier in the game, Perth Scorchers put Adelaide Strikers into bat first and it seemed like the Strikers were going hell for leather and kept going at the bowlers. They simply lost too many wickets but Liam Scott mustered up his maiden BBL half-century to take them over the 160 runs. Mahli Beardman and Jason Behrendorff stood out with the ball for the Scorchers and in the end, they had too many 20s and 30s to get over the line.
Adelaide Strikers will be disappointed with that effort but they should have capitalized with the bat and put on a big score after that quick start. They leaked runs inside the Powerplay with the ball but did manage to pick up a few wickets. However, a couple of questionable bowling choices and a couple of dropped catches only added to their misery and eventually, they were blown away by thye opposition batters.
162 to chase down seemed a bit under-par to begin with and Perth Scorchers have shown that it was well under-par in the end. They got off to a flier notching up 42 runs in the first 4 overs but things got interesting in the middle overs. The batters just kept going at it and a few quick cameos coupled with a fine unbeaten 39 off 21 balls from Cooper Connolly was enough for them to get over the line in 16.2 overs. They now have one foot in the playoffs but will have to wait about 24 hours more to know their fate.
Yet another fascinating contest to close out a doubleheader day in the BBL. But at the end of it all, it is Perth Scorchers who are currently in the 4th and final playoff spot. Earlier in the day, Melbourne Renegades knocked out reigning champions Brisbane Heat and now with the Scorchers achieving the target inside 18 overs, they have now knocked out not only the Strikers but also the Renegades.
In over# 17
6
6
D'Arcy Short 37/2(3.2)
16.2
6
SIX! Cooper Connolly finishes the game for his team! Perth Scorchers have won it by five wickets and both batters are pumped up. They have moved to the fourth in the points table where Adelaide Strikers is out from this season. Floated ball, around middle, in the slot, Cooper Connolly comes forward and launches it down the ground over long on for another biggie to end the chase.
16.1
6
SIX! DOWN THE GROUND! Tossed up, around middle and off, from over the wicket, Cooper Connolly strides forward and thumps it back straight down the ground over long on for a biggie.
In over# 16
0
1
1lb
2
0
4wd
2
Lloyd Pope 21/0(3)
15.6
.
Floated up, around middle, Spoors pushes it to covers.
15.5
1
On a nagging length, around leg, Cooper tries to paddle it but gets it through the inside edge to short fine leg for a single.
15.4
1lb
Leg bye! On a nagging length, around leg, Spoors misses the flick short and wears it on the pads. They get a single for leg bye as the ball rolls away to square leg.
15.3
2
Drops it short, Matthew Spoors makes room and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs. The fielder in the deep does good to cover the ground and saves the boundary.
15.2
.
Tossed up, outside off, Spoors goes for the sweep shot but misses.
15.2
4wd
WIDE! Floated up, down the leg side, Cooper Connolly again moved across to scoop it but misses. The ball goes through between the legs of the keeper and they run for three.
15.1
2
Tossed up, around middle and leg, from over the wicket, Cooper moves across and paddles it to deep fine leg for a couple of runs. Also, Adelaide Strikers are now officially out of the finals race!
In over# 15
4
2
0
0W
1
2
Matthew Short 21/1(3)
14.6
4
FOUR! Nicely done! On a length around off, Matthew Spoors brings out the reverse sweep and gets enough of a top edge to get it over short third and the ball rolls away into the fence.
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