AUSTRALIA: Perth Scorchers defeat Melbourne Stars by 50 runs and regain the top spot at the Big Bash League points table. Melbourne Stars are at the 6th position in the points table. In this match after winning the toss, Perth Scorchers decided to bat first.
Cameron Bancroft and Kurtis Patterson opened the innings for the Perth Scorchers. Kurtis Patterson was the aggressor in this partnership. They both added 27 runs in 2.3 before Cameron Bancroft got run-out while trying to steal a quick single and Perth Scorchers were 27/1 after 2.4 overs.
Kurtis Patterson and Colin Munro’s partnership
Colin Munro joined Patterson in the middle after the wicket of Cameron Bancroft. Colin Munro started attacking the Melbourne Stars bowlers right from the start. He became the aggressor in his partnership with Patterson. Colin Munro scored 40 runs off 20 deliveries which included 1 four and 4 massive sixes. After Munro got out Perth Scorchers were 95/2 after 9 overs.
The next batsman Laurie Evans couldn’t last long as he got out after scoring just 2 runs. Kurtis Patterson brought up his half-century during his partnership with Ashton Turner. But just when Patterson was looking to switch gears, he got out after scoring 54 runs off 39 deliveries which included 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Perth Scorchers were 116/4 after the fall of Kurtis Patterson. Ashton Turner was playing a good knock but unfortunately, he got run-out on 27 runs off 19 deliveries.
In the last overs, Ashton Agar scored 19 runs off 16 deliveries which included 2 fours and a six to take the Perth Scorchers to a total of 180/8 after 20 overs.
For Melbourne Stars, Haris Rauf and Qais Ahmad took 2 wickets each while Brody Couch and Tom O Connell took 1 wicket each.
Joe Clarke and Tom Rogers gave Melbourne Stars a flying start
Melbourne Stars openers Joe Clarke and Tom Rogers gave their side an excellent start. They both stitched up 78 runs partnerships for the opening wicket. Joe Clarke scored his 3rd Big Bash fifty of this season. He scored 52 runs off just 32 deliveries which included 9 fours and 1 six. Andrew Tye gave Perth Scorchers their first breakthrough as he removed Joe Clarke and Melbourne Stars were 78/1 after 8.3 overs.
Soon after the fall of Joe Clarke, Peter Hatzoglou removed Tom Rogers who scored 32 runs off 25 deliveries which included 4 fours and 1 six, and Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell (4) in quick successions to put Melbourne Stars on the back foot.
Hilton Cartwright and Charlie Wakim tried to bring the Stars back in the game but they both got out and Melbourne Stars were 122/6 after 16.5 overs.
Melbourne Stars lost their last 7 wickets for just 35 runs and as a result, they got all out for 130 runs. Perth Scorchers won the match by 50 runs.
For Perth Scorchers, Tymal Mills took 3 wickets, Peter Hatzoglou and Andrew Tye took 2 wickets each whereas Jason Behrendorff and Ashton Agar took 1 wicket each.
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