‘Australia holds its breath’: Sixers overcome mighty scare as Scorchers fall flat — BBL LIVE
The Scorchers have posted 8-147 to defend in the qualifier final after an impressive bowling performance from Moises Henriques’ Sixers.
After grabbing the early wicket of superstar Mitchell Marsh, Aussie Test gun Mitchell Starc handed his side a mammoth injury scare.
Kiwi international Finn Allen chipped a ball to mid-wicket off the bowling of Sean Abbott, with Starc reaching out in an attempt to take the catch.
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But instead, he crouched over in pain after the ball beat his hand, grabbing his shoulder and testing it with a handful of arm swings.
“The whole of Australia holds its breath,” Mark Howard said.
Luckily for the Sixers Starc was good to go, bowling not long after before his side grabbed the crucial wicket of Finn Allen, who started to look imposing.
He belted 49 from 30 balls, while Aaron Hardie struggled to fire before falling to Starc for 17 while Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly and Laurie Evans all were dismissed for less than 10.
At one point the Scorchers lost 4/20 from 30 balls, but skipper Ashton Turner (29) and Jhye Richardson (20) helped their side to a modest total.
Interestingly, the average total batting first in Perth this BBL season is 140.
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PRE-MATCH WRAP
The most successful franchises in BBL history will do battle in a qualifier final on Tuesday night, with a spot in the final up for grabs.
Between the Scorchers and Sixers, they are responsible for eight of the 14 BBL titles, and only four times have neither franchise been involved in the big dance.
It’s an interesting match-up for a host of reasons, but both opening duos have been on fire this season.
For Perth, Mitch Marsh and Finn Allen have fired on all fronts, tallying the most runs of any opening partnership with a staggering 254 from nine innings together.
But Steve Smith and Babar Azam have been more consistent so far, with the highest average of opening duos which sits at 97 from their three games together.
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The first wicket coming fast will be crucial for both the Sixers and the Scorchers, but the batting quality doesn’t end there.
The likes of Ashton Turner, Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie will be hopeful of delivering in front of their home ground, while Josh Phillipe, Sam Curran and Jack Edwards will be desperate to spoil the fun.
