Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers’ finals hopes remain alive with stunning win over Adelaide
Perth Scorchers have ensured their finals hopes will go down to the wire and they will sweat on the final game of the Big Bash season to determine their fate after a five-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers.
In the aftermath of Jake Fraser-McGurk’s heroics to get Melbourne Renegades over the line and, in the process, rescuscitate the Scorchers’ flagging post-season hopes, Perth upheld their end of the bargain to extend their season — if only for a day.
Needing to chase down Adelaide’s tally of 161 within 18 overs to obtain the required run-rate needed to leapfrog the Renegades in fourth, Perth eventually hauled themselves over the line with 22 balls to spare as Cooper Connolly played a starring role.
The Scorchers now need Hobart Hurricanes — already guaranteed top spot on the ladder — to do them the most generous of favours and beat Melbourne Stars on Sunday.
Camera IconPERTH, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 18: Mahli Beardman of the Scorchers appeals during the BBL match between Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium, on January 18, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images
If the Hurricanes-Stars result falls their way, the Scorchers will have young guns Connolly and Mahli Beardman to thank for helping deliver the jaws of life against Adelaide.
Connolly again led the way with the bat to finish with an unbeaten 39 (21), while Beardman took 3-17 in just his second Big Bash match and played a pivotal role in stopping the Strikers’ fast start.
Perth’s chances of an unlikely finals berth looked grim early as Adelaide openers Matthew Short (40) and Alex Carey (22) went to work, but a middle overs fightback from Perth’s bowling brigade stemmed the tide.
Having reached 81 off just six overs, Adelaide managed just one boundary off the ensuing five overs and only added 80 to their total following their initial flurry.
Despite Liam Scott’s admirable 67 (43) as teenage tearaway Beardman’s spell, along with supporting stints from Connolly (1-15) and Ashton Agar (1-19) steadied the Scorchers.
Camera IconPERTH, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 18: Alex Carey of the Strikers looks on after stumping Aaron Hardie of the Scorchers during the BBL match between Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium, on January 18, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images
A complex equation suddenly became more simple, with the hosts needing to chase down the total with effectively two less overs than usual to leapfrog Melbourne and move back into the top four.
It imbued every Scorchers fan with a hope and Sam Fanning got the run-chase off to a quick start, with the Scorchers reaching 1-42 after four overs.
But Adelaide – themselves needing to limit Perth to 146 to keep their own finals hopes alive – wrestled back control and stymied their opponents’ momentum.
And disaster struck when Fanning was run-out for 29 (20) after finding himself halfway down the pitch in a mix-up, before Aaron Hardie was stumped on 28 (17) as Perth’s top-order crumpled, their finals flame flickering like a candle in the wind.
Camera IconPERTH, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 18: Finn Allen of the Scorchers takes a return throw during the BBL match between Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium, on January 18, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Effectively needing 60 off six overs, the Scorchers used their ‘power surge’ and despite Ashton Turner falling, an error-strewn 17-run over ceded by Jordan Buckingham made the total look manageable.
Eventually, it was the man of the moment in Connolly who saw his side home, wielding the willow like the finest of samurai blades to bring his side within sight of the total.
And with the total no longer a speck on the horizon, Connolly seized the moment, ending the match with back-to-back sixes.
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