AUSTRALIA: Perth Scorchers defeat Melbourne Stars by 47 runs and they have sealed themselves in the top 2 positions at the Big Bash League points table. This was Perth Scorchers’ 10th win in this year’s Big Bash League. Melbourne Stars are at the 7th position in the points table.
In this match after winning the toss, Perth Scorchers decided to bat first. Nick Hobson and Kurtis Patterson opened the innings for the Perth Scorchers. They both stitched up a 22 runs partnership before Haris Rauf got the wicket of Kurtis Patterson (8) and Perth Scorchers were 22/1 after 2.2 overs.
Laurie Evans joined Nick Hobson after the fall of the first wicket. Both Laurie Evans and Nick Hobson put up an 83 runs partnership. Nick Hobson scored 46 runs off 36 deliveries which included 6 fours before getting out off a delivery bowled by Adam Zampa.
Perth Scorchers were 105/2 in 11.3 when Ashton Turner came out to bat. Ashton Turner and Laurie Evans started shifting the gears. Ashton Turner was the aggressor as he was scoring runs at a tremendous pace. He started dealing in fours and sixes and his batting partner Laurie Evans also joined him.
Laurie Evans and Ashton Turner’s partnership for Perth Scorchers
Laurie Evans and Ashton Turner stitched up a 71 runs partnership. Laurie Evans also brought up his half-century during this partnership. Laurie Evans got out after scoring 69 runs off 46 deliveries which included 2 fours and 5 sixes while Ashton Turner scored an unbeaten 47 runs off just 26 deliveries which included 3 fours and 3 sixes.
After the wicket of Laurie Evans, Aaron Hardie played a good cameo knock as he scored 15 runs off just 7 deliveries which included 2 sixes to take the Perth Scorchers to a total of 196/3 after 20 overs.
For Melbourne Stars, Haris Rauf took 2 wickets and Adam Zampa took 1 wicket.
Melbourne Stars had a bad start as they lost their opening batsman Nick Larkin (1) in just the 2nd over bowled by Matthew Kelly. Joe Burns joined Beau Webster in the middle after the wicket of Nick Larkin.
Beau Webster and Joe Burns stitched up a 58 runs partnership between them. They both were looking good but Matthew Kelly once again gave Perth Scorchers the required breakthrough and got rid of Joe Burns who scored 20 runs off 17 deliveries which included 2 sixes and Melbourne Stars were 59/2 after 8.1 overs.
Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell had a short stay at the crease as he got out after scoring 5 runs off 8 deliveries. Beau Webster was joined by Hilton Cartwright at the crease.
Beau Webster and Cartwright had a 35 runs partnership between them. Matthew Kelly once again did the role of partnership breaker as he removed Hilton Cartwright and Melbourne Stars were 103/4 after 13.1 overs.
Beau Webster’s gritty half-century
Beau Webster scored 63 runs off 47 deliveries which included 7 fours and 2 sixes. He was looking like the lone warrior battling for his team.
After Beau Webster got out, Melbourne Stars had a collapse and they lost their last 4 wickets for just 25 runs. Joe Clarke scored 17 runs off 11 deliveries which included 1 four and 1 six but it wasn’t enough as Melbourne Stars finished at 149/9 after 20 overs and Perth Scorchers won the match by 47 runs.
For Perth Scorchers, Matthew Kelly bowled beautifully as he picked up 4 wickets whereas Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou, Andrew Tye, and Ashton Agar took 1 wicket each.
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