Match 33, Perth, January 07, 2023, 03:45 PM
Brisbane Heat
171/9(20.0ov)
Perth Scorchers
173/3(16.3ov)
Perth Scorchers beat Brisbane Heat by 7 wickets
That is it from this game but the action in the Big Bash League 2022-23 continues on Sunday, the 8th of January as Sydney Thunder take on Sydney Sixers in the 'Sydney Smash'. That game will begin at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT) but you can join us early for the build-up. Take care and goodbye!
Cameron Bancroft (76* off 48 balls) is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock.
Earlier in the game, Ashton Turner opted to chase on a track that looked great for batting and the opposition openers especially Colin Munro hit the bowlers to all parts of the ground. But as the innings progressed, the home side was able to creep their way back into the contest and finished things on a high with the ball. With the momentum behind them, the Scorchers' batters showed intent right from the start and ensured that they stayed ahead in the chase. In the end, it was a fairly one-sided affair.
Brisbane Heat will be disappointed with that bowling display but it is their batting that is to be blamed as well. They could have and should have scored 25-30 runs more but failed to do so and after a decent start with the ball, they failed to control the middle overs. The experienced players likes Mitchell Swepson and Mark Steketee proved to be really expensive and the wickets did come but by then, the game was all but over. The Heat stay in the bottom half of the table and need to string a few wins together in order to make a run for the playoffs.
The defending champions needed 172 runs to win on a surface that has produced scores of around 140-150 runs all season. This particular pitch though was very hard and great for batting and it showed. After losing Stephen Eskinazi very early on, Cameron Bancroft and Aaron Hardie put on a 111-run stand to kill the game and in doing so, both batters also surpassed their individual 50-run mark. Hardie was unfortunately run out and Josh Inglis fell soon after but Bancroft along with skipper Ashton Turner never took the foot off the accelerator. In the end, Bancroft remained unbeaten on 76 and saw his side home with plenty of balls to spare.
Perth Scorchers bounce back from a home defeat to tame Brisbane Heat and reclaim the top spot on the points table. It was a difficult chase that was made to look really easy by the Scorchers' batters and the Heat never really stood a chance.
In over# 17
6
1lb
6
Mark Steketee 35/1(2.3)
16.3
6
SIX! PERTH SCORCHERS WIN BY 7 WICKETS! Mark Steketee fires in a short ball, around middle and leg, Ashton Turner hangs deep inside the crease and pummels it all the way over fine leg for a biggie. A thumping win with 21 balls to spare!
16.2
1lb
Short and on off, slightly slower in pace, Cameron tries to pull but misses. It hits him on the body and deflects to point. They cross for a leg bye.
16.1
6
SIX! Lovely extension of the arms and it's dismissed. Full and angling in around off, Cameron Bancroft shows no mercy and muscles it over wide long on.
Mark Steketee (2-0-23-1) is back on.
In over# 16
1
2
1
4
0
6
Mitchell Swepson 41/0(4)
15.6
1
Shortish around leg, Bancroft moves back and taps it down to cover-point for one. 12 needed more, off 24 balls.
15.5
2
Spinning away from outside off, Bancroft fetches it from there and guides it via a pull shot to deep mid-wicket. A couple.
15.4
1
Shortish and close to off, Turner gets back to cut but chops it down towards short third man. They cross.
15.3
4
FOUR! Perth Scorchers are inching closer to the target now. Full and flighted, around middle, Turner goes down on one knee and crisply sweeps it wide of short fine leg for a boundary.
15.2
.
Quicker and shorter, around middle, Ashton helps it to mid-wicket.
15.1
6
SIX! Long and handsome! Floated delivery, pitching full and around middle, Ashton Turner goes through the line and lofts it nonchalantly over long on for a maximum. 20 needed more.
Change in bowling. Mitchell Swepson to bowl out...