Scorchers fall to Strikers

Perth Scorchers' fight for a finals berth in BBL09 will come down to their final match of the home and away season, after a 16 run loss to Adelaide Strikers on Friday night.

Adelaide batted first and posted 5/181, thanks in main to a blistering assault from openers Phil Salt (59) and Jake Weatherald (35) inside the opening six over powerplay.

Returning spinner Ashton Agar dismissed both batsmen, but cameos from captain Travis Head (35), Alex Carey (25) and Jon Wells (23*) meant the start wasn't wasted as Adelaide posted a strong score.

Agar claimed 2-29 for the home team, while Matt Kelly was back to his dependable best at the death with 2-26.

The Scorchers couldn't emulate their opponents in the opening overs with the bat, falling behind the required run rate of nine from the get go and struggling to make an imprint on their target.

Only Liam Livingstone got going for Perth, striking his fifth half century of the season in making 79, a knock that featured seven sixes.

No other batsman made more than Kurtis Patterson's 17 as player of the match Wes Agar (3-36) and Billy Stanlake (2-20) shared the spoils while Rashid Khan (1-25) and Peter Siddle (1-35) kept things tight, the Scorchers restricted to 7-165.

It means to make certainty of a finals spot Perth must beat Sydney Thunder at Sydney Showgrounds on Sunday, while the Strikers will feature at the business end of the tournament regardless of their result against the Hobart Hurricanes at the Adelaide Oval later that same day.

IMAGE: Cricket Australia website.