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  • Writer's pictureSportFM

Scorchers win through to BBL final



The Perth Scorchers will meet the Sydney Sixers at the SCG in the final of BBL10 on Saturday night, defeating the Brisbane Heat by 49 runs via Duckworth/Lewis method at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Thursday evening.


Sent in to bat the Scorchers were never headed from the outset, posting 1-189 from the 18.1 overs they received before the rain arrived, half an hour of rain seeing the Heat set a steep task of 200 in 18 overs to progress to the final.


They wouldn't get close thanks to an impressive bowling effort from the Scorchers, Jason Behrendorff with a pivotal double strike in his second over to turn the game decisively his side's way.


Perth were dealt a blow before the match when star import Jason Roy was ruled out with a right ankle injury, Cameron Bancroft replacing him at the top of the order for the crunch contest.


Liam Livingstone got off to a roaring start in humid conditions in the nation's capital, smashing six sixes and five fours in a thrilling 77 from 39 balls, taking particular toll on leg spinners Mitch Swepson and Marnus Labuschagne.


Bancroft played the role of support beautifully, adding 114 in 11 overs with Livingstone before the Englishman holed out to the deep.


Mitch Marsh was promoted to number three and capitalised on the power surge powerplay, taking 22 runs from one Morne Morkel over as the runs continued to flow for the Scorchers.


Bancroft reached a well made half century, Marsh clearing the boundary over cover to move to within one run of his own milestone before the heavens opened with 11 balls remaining in the Perth innings.


A half hour delay meant the end of the Scorchers batting innings, a DLS revised score seeing the Heat left with 18 overs to chase 200 runs.


Chris Lynn began ominiously along with Joe Denly as they took 22 runs from one Jhye Richardson over, but Jason Behrendorff struck back in the very next by foxing Joe Denly in to chipping a catch to Marsh at midwicket, Lynn bowled attempting to deposit a slower ball the very next delivery.


From there the result was as good as sealed as the run rate climbed, Aaron Hardie removing Sam Heazlett (3) with his first ball and Fawad Ahmed bowling Marnus Labuschagne (15) with a well disguised wrong'un as Brisbane's chase came crashing down.


Joe Burns top scored with 38 but the game was well and truly up even before his dismissal to AJ Tye, the Scorchers in to their sixth BBL final in ten seasons and fourth against the Sixers with a 49 run win.


Hardie claimed three wickets and Tye, Behrendorff and Ahmed all finished with two in a supreme all round performance from Ashton Turner's side, bouncing back strongly from their loss to the Sixers in the qualifier on Saturday night and a challenging week that saw them remain in Canberra due to Perth's five day lockdown.


The final will be played at the SCG on Saturday night, the Sixers looking for back to back titles while Perth is attempting to win it's fourth BBL crown, having last hoisted the trophy aloft in BBL06.


IMAGE: Fox Sports.





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