Perth Scorchers stormed into the Big Bash League (BBL) 2021-22 final after thrashing Sydney Sixers by 49 runs at the Docklands Stadium, Melbourne. The Sixers were all out for 140 from 19.2 overs in their run chase of 190. Sixers would have lost by a bigger margin if not for no.9 batter Ben Dwarshuis 66-run knock from 29 balls.
The Scorchers made 189/3 after winning the toss and batting first. Josh Inglis top-scored for Scorchers with 79. Inglis shared a record 120-run opening partnership with Kurtis Patterson to set the team up for a daunting total in the qualifier. The wicketkeeper-batter scored at a strike rate of 161.22. He hit nine fours and one six in his match-winning knock.
In the Scorchers’ innings Patterson smashed his fourth half century of the tournament, including four fours and two sixes off just 33 balls to set the tone for the match. In a late cameo, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh smashed 28 from 21 balls including four fours, before he was caught by Moises Henriques.
Justin Avendano was first man out for the Sixers for a third-ball duck after he skied one to Inglis off Jason Behrendorff in the second over. His opening partner Josh Philippe chopped one on from Jhye Richardson in the third over for five from eight balls to have the Sixers reeling at 8/2. Behrendorff had his second wicket in the fourth over when Jordan Silk cut one to a wide slip to make it 11/3.
Things got even worse when the Sixers fell to 41/6. A slower ball from Richardson had Moises Henriques edging the ball behind. A stellar throw from Ashton Turner, ran out Sean Abbott for three runs as the collapse continued apace, the Sixers falling to 55/7 in 12 overs.
Richardson, Behrendorff, Ashton Agar and Andrew Tye all nabbed two wickets each for the Scorchers, while Peter Hatzoglou had one.
Dwarshuis saved Sixers from further embarrassment. He hit 18 off his first six balls but the required run rate was already out of grasp. Dwarshuis smashed the best ever score by a No.9 on his way to his first BBL half century to give the Sixers some positivity heading into the second qualifier. Dwarshuis reached 50 off just 24 balls including five fours and three sixes. He had support from Hayden Kerrm who scored 22 off 18 deliveries.
Inglis was crowned ‘man of the match’ and the Scorchers now await the winner of the clash between the Sixers and the winner of the Thunder’s match against the Strikers in an attempt to add another BBL trophy to their cabinet.
