Perth Scorchers hat-trick hopes ruined by Adelaide Strikers

Strikers will face Brisbane Heat on Monday for the right to take on Sixers in the final at the SCG; Scorchers' dreams of a sixth title will have to wait another year

Nick Friend | 20/01/2024 at 12:48

Perth Scorchers' hopes of completing a hat-trick of men's Big Bash titles are over after being hammered at home by Adelaide Strikers.

This was the knockout final between the teams finishing third and fourth in the group stage, with Scorchers pipped to a top-two berth by Sydney Sixers late on in the round-robin phase.

A defeat at the hands of Moises Henriques' side meant there was no room for error for the reigning champions against Strikers, who finished a win behind them in the group.

But both sides were missing several players at Optus Stadium, and it was Adelaide who coped better, with the leg-spin duo of Lloyd Pope (4 for 24) and Cameron Boyce (3 for 20) combining for figures of 7 for 44 as a gettable victory target of 156 proved insurmountable.

Both teams found themselves in strife at 48 for 4 in their respective innings, but Jake Weatherald's half century – the latest fine showing following an upturn in form – was ultimately the difference, helped by Ben Manenti's 23 and Henry Thornton's unbeaten 28 down an order that was missing Chris Lynn, Adam Hose and Jamie Overton.

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^{Perth Scorchers were aiming for three consecutive titles (Daniel Carson/Getty Images)}

Scorchers were also fielding a skeleton lineup, with Sam Fanning making his Big Bash debut and Marcus Harris playing his first game for Scorchers since 2016.

He represented Melbourne Renegades in the meantime but didn't have a deal for this season and was a late signing for Perth, once it became clear that they would be without Zak Crawley and Laurie Evans for the run-in. Stephen Eskinazi hurt his finger in what now looks a costly defeat by Sixers.

Fanning's lightning start – he struck 31 off 20 balls – offered no clues as to the carnage that would unfold after his dismissal. Scorchers, so often the team to beat in this competition, lost 10 for 67 to be rolled for 105 in 16.2 overs.

Strikers will face Brisbane Heat on Monday for the right to take on Sixers in the final at the SCG. Scorchers' dreams of a sixth title will have to wait another year.