The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars highlights: Stars secure finals with win in Perth

16th January, 2016
Start: 9:15pm (AEDT)
Venue: WACA
TV: Live, Network Ten
Betting: Scorchers $1.62, Stars $2.25
Last meeting: Scorcher won by 18 runs (BBL04 semi-final)

Perth Scorchers squad
Adam Voges (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Michael Carberry, David Willey, Marcus Harris, Brad Hogg, Michael Klinger, Simon Mackin, James Muirhead, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman.

Melbourne Stars squad
David Hussey (c), Michael Beer, Jackson Coleman, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Ben Hilfenhaus, Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Luke Wright, Adam Zampa
Jason Behrendorff is one of Australia's finest prospects. (Caelie Jones / Perth Scorchers)
Roar Guru
16th January, 2016
31
4470 Reads

Match result:

The Melbourne Stars made their spot in the Big Bash finals certain with an impressive win over the Perth Scorchers on Saturday night, bowling the reigning back-to-back champs out for a double-figure score.

REPORT: STARS BEAT SCORCHERS IN PERTH

The Stars were only able to put together a total of 146 in their innings with David Hussey’s 36 their best performance with the bat, and looked to be in trouble as the Scorchers went in to chase.

However Daniel Worrall took both of Perth’s openers inside the first three overs of their innings and from there the Scorchers struggled. Adam Voges made an unbeaten 46 but aside from him only two other batsmen reached double figures for the side.

Final score
Melbourne Stars 9/146
Perth Scorchers 94 all out

Match preview:

The Perth Scorchers need a win to keep their chances of finishing top of the table alive when they host the third-placed Melbourne Stars at The Furnace. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9:15pm (AEDT).

Advertisement

After a slow start to their season, the Stars have won four of their last five matches, to be in third position, making this a key match to determine the make-up of the semi-finals.

The Scorchers have only lost twice this season – both times to the top-of-the-table Strikers – although their last match was a one-run win against the Hurricanes.

Both teams will have their squads tested. Shaun and Mitch Marsh, as well as Joel Paris are on ODI duties for the Scorchers, while the Stars are missing Glenn Maxwell, John Hastings, Scott Boland and James Faulkner.

However, the better performing players this season will be in action. Michael Klinger, the BBL’s all-time leading run scorer, is having another solid season with the bat for the Scorchers, while for the Stars import Luke Wright has been in great form, and Kevin Petersen has been solid if not spectacular.

With the ball, Perth’s leading wicket-taker, Andrew Tye, will look to continue to push his case for a T20 World Cup squad selection. Melbourne’s Ben Hifenhaus will just hope to have better luck than when Chris Lynn got hold off him in his last match.

The last time these teams met was in the semi-final of BBL 04, the Scorchers winning by 18 runs, going on to win the title.

Prediction
The Scorchers are the most successful franchise in BBL history and in the final match before finals expect them to be too strong for the Stars.

Advertisement
close