A final fizzer - the Scorchers prevail in the 'East'
Speaking of the BBL
A pedestrian power-play pushed the Perth Scorchers to the edge of finals implosion. The season-low four-over total (1-14) soon became (4-24) - bringing together captain, Ashton Turner, and English import, Laurie Evans.
The immediacy of T20 cricket forces your hand in these situations. Borrowing some poker-speak; calling and checking is not a viable option, more like a quick scan of the cards in hand, then all in on the river flop, sink or swim. It was a juncture in the game that presented a perfect storm for either team. A good dose of skill, and some fortune, meant the river worked in the Scorchers' favour.
Evans and Turner combined for a stellar 104-run match-winning partnership.
It started with brief consolidation and a dose of circumspection, which was quickly replaced with copious amounts of cavalier, and fearless stroke-play. Both right-handers finding boundaries with genuine cricket shots, it was refreshing to see batting orthodoxy rewarded. Two effortless cover- driven sixes will be with Evans for some time, I would imagine.
Evans batted through the innings to finish 76 not out (41 balls) and Turner, after falling to Steve O’Keefe, made 54 from 35 balls. Together they struck eight fours, and four maximums, Evans contributing three of the four sixes. They did stare over the precipice, and, to their credit, found a way of steering the Scorchers away from near-fatal collapse.
The Scorchers bowling unit has been highly dependable throughout the season. Jhye Richardson gives them accurate pace upfront. Jason Behrendorff affords skilful swing, and a ‘you miss-I hit’ length.  AJ Tye and his multiple aliases present numerous in-ball decisions for batters, and then there is the spin; Ashton Agar, Peter Hatzoglou, and Ashton Turner.
They did not miss their opportunity to showcase their wares.
The bowling collective allowed a miserly three boundaries in the Sydney Sixers first 10 overs. A power-play comparison showed the Sixers slightly ahead (1-26); however, the river then ran dry for the Sixers. The evergreen Dan Christian was fourth out at (4-62); four overs later, the Scorchers had doubled their wickets tally, with the Sixers reeling at (8-77) - the end coming at (10-92) - with Richardson accounting for Steve O’Keefe.
Richardson (2-20 from three overs) - Jason Behrendorff (1-12 from two) controlled the Sixers from the top- leaving AJ Tye to strangle the middle order with (3-15 from three) removing three dangerous hitters in; Christian, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis. Each of the three spinners claimed a wicket; Turner, Agar and Hatzoglou, their combined spin-overs read (3-44 from eight) - all, in all, a clinical display by the Scorchers.
This was their fourth win over the Sixers in as many games, validating to all that - they were BBL11’s best team, this despite only playing one game in Perth, thanks to Mark McGowan’s ludicrous iron curtain. Josh Inglis will be chuckling in his celebratory beer, or choice of refreshment. They have been exiled since December 8, 2021.
Not that denying an opposition their own milestones should be an incentive; the Scorchers did prevent the Sixers from becoming the first team to win a hat-trick of titles. Perhaps an irony is that Victoria (the Scorchers second home) remains the only team to complete a domestic T20 hat-trick; this was when the competition was state-based.
So, what to do in the 7.30pm TV time slot!
The competition made it to the finish line, albeit with its share of challenges, kudos to all involved in the many intricate decisions made along the way.
I’m planning on a season wrap this week, stay tuned, please.
As always, I appreciate your time, and thank you for being here.
