The Perth Scorchers have officially claimed the minor premiership and secured a vital double chance in the Big Bash League finals. In a high-stakes clash at Optus Stadium, the Scorchers overcame an early batting wobble to chase down the Melbourne Stars’ modest total of 130, winning by six wickets in front of a record-breaking regular-season crowd of 48,608 fans.
The victory ensures Perth will host two home finals, starting with a Qualifier against either the Hurricanes or the Sixers this coming Tuesday. For the Stars, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow; after fighting for a top-two finish, they must now take the long road through a knockout final on January 21.
Richardson and Connolly Tear Through Stars’ Top Order
The foundation for Perth’s dominance was laid early by a clinical bowling performance. After winning a rare bat flip, captain Ashton Turner elected to bowl, a decision that paid immediate dividends. Cooper Connolly, the young left-arm spinner, turned the game on its head in the very first over by dismissing Tom Rogers and Joe Clarke in consecutive deliveries. Clarke’s golden duck left the Stars reeling at 15 for 3 after just two overs.
Jhye Richardson then took over, showcasing why he is one of the most feared quicks in the competition. Richardson finished with remarkable figures of 4 for 16, consistently finding extra bounce and zip to dismantle the Stars’ middle and lower order. Despite a defiant 55 from Marcus Stoinis, who briefly threatened to drag his side to a competitive total, the Stars collapsed once their captain fell in the 14th over. A struggling Glenn Maxwell, batting down at No. 7, failed to provide the late-innings fireworks, skying a catch to finish with just 3 runs.
Finn Allen Blasts Scorchers to Victory Despite Early Scare
The chase wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for the home side. The Scorchers’ top order looked vulnerable early on against the searing pace of Haris Rauf. Rauf breathed life into the contest by removing Mitchell Marsh, Cooper Connolly, and Josh Inglis in quick succession, leaving Perth teetering at 26 for 3. However, the Stars’ fielding let them down at the most crucial moments.
Finn Allen, coming off a century in his previous outing, was the beneficiary of two costly dropped catches. The first came when he was on 23, spilled by substitute fielder Blake Macdonald at extra cover, and the second on 36 when Marcus Stoinis couldn’t hold onto a “hot” chance. Allen made the Stars pay dearly, smashing 69 off just 39 balls. Alongside Aaron Hardie (41*), Allen anchored a 94-run partnership that effectively ended the contest.
Perth eventually reached the target in the 17th over, sending the massive home crowd into a frenzy. While the Stars showed glimpses of brilliance with the ball, their inability to hold onto chances and a lack of runs from the big hitters ultimately cost them the chance at a double-break in the finals.
