Two-time defending champion Perth Scorchers are shaping again as the Big Bash League team to beat following a thumping nine-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers at the Waca Ground.
The Scorchers’ trademark defensive bowling was outstanding after the Sixers elected to bat first. The visitors posted a total of just 112-8 and the Scorchers had no trouble chasing it down. Having lost just one wicket the last two games chasing smallish totals, the Scorchers again got the job done with undefeated Shaun Marsh (63 from 54) and Michael Klinger (28 from 22) setting up the run chase. The Scorchers reached 114-1 to win with nine wickets and 33 balls in hand.
Since losing the opening game to the Adelaide Strikers, the Scorchers have beaten the Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Renegades and now Sixers to move to the top of the BBL having played in all four previous finals winning the last two. After winning two of their first three games, the Sixers have lost three straight to be falling out of semi-final contention.
Sixers captain Nic Maddinson won the toss and decided to bat. Despite 47 from 45 by Michael Lumb, they lost wickets consistently to be behind eight ball. The Scorchers’ bowlers David Willey (3-22), Andrew Tye (2-21), Jason Behrendorff (2-24), Joel Paris (1-23) and Brad Hogg (0-20) were outstanding.
Defending 112 was always going to be difficult particularly with the form Marsh and Klinger have been in. The Scorchers openers put on a 65-run stand before Klinger fell for 28 in the 10th over. Marsh continued on from there with an unbeaten 49-run partnership with Marcus Harris (15 from 11) to secure the win.
The Scorchers next play the Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday at Adelaide Oval. The Sixers have eight days until hosting the Brisbane Heat at the SCG. Willey was named man of the match for his three wickets for the Scorchers with the English all-rounder proud to be part of such a dominant team display.
“It was a great performance all-round,” Willey said. “Credit to the lads, we are bowling together as a unit and that makes it very difficult for the opposition when all four of us seamers and obviously Hoggy as well are putting it in the right areas to make it difficult to score. It was a good all-round performance from the bowlers and then the batters did their job to knock it off comfortably.”
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