MEMBERS-ONLY CONTENT

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

strikers200101

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.

fanning200101

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.


Related Topics

Comments

LATEST NEWS

COMPETITIONS

LOADING

STATS

STAY UP TO DATE Sign up to our newsletter... SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

OUR WRITERS

GEORGE DOBELL

Chief correspondent

HUW TURBERVILL

Editor, The Cricketer Magazine

JAMES COYNE

Deputy editor, The Cricketer Magazine

NICK HOWSON

Digital Editor

NICK FRIEND

Features Writer

OSCAR RESS

Staff reporter

Units 7-8, 35-37 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough, LE128PY

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.