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Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers highlights: Big Bash League cricket scores, blog

21st January, 2017
Start Time: Saturday January 21st, 4.20pm AEDT
Venue: Blundstone Arena (Hobart)
TV: Channel 10 - Live
Betting: Hobart Hurricanes $2.20, Perth Scorchers $1.67
Ben McDermott of the Hurricanes plays a shot during the Big Bash League (BBL) T20 match between the Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
21st January, 2017
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6760 Reads

Match result:

The Perth Scorchers have secured themselves a semi-final at home and snuffed out any hope the Hobart Hurricanes had of a finals berth, winning by seven wickets in Hobart on Saturday.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Hobart Hurricanes 6/134
Perth Scorchers 3/135

Match preview:

The Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers have it all to play for this afternoon, as both teams try to book a spot in the semi-finals. Join The Roar for all the action from 4:20pm (AEDT).

Despite languishing at seventh on the points table, Hobart still control their own destiny. The equation is simple for the Hurricanes: win and win big against the Perth Scorchers.

While the equation might be simple, the task at hand is not, requiring a thumping win over the most successful organisation in Big Bash history.

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A victory in excess of 30 runs, or a successful chase within 16.4 overs will launch the Hurricanes into the finals, in third place.

If Hobart win but fail to fulfil the stipulated scenarios, they can still qualify for the finals by virtue of net run rate, provided the Melbourne Stars beat the Sydney Sixers by a sufficient margin.

However, the Hurricanes are not the only team who has to worry about qualifying for the finals today.

The Scorchers will be rueing a home loss to an undermanned Stars in their last match, potentially costing Perth a home final and also leaving them vulnerable to an early exit.

Although Perth are nestled safely in the top four, a loss today could see them miss the finals for the first time ever. A win, on the other hand, would secure a sixth successive finals berth and possibly a home semi-final, depending on net run rate.

In team news, the Scorchers welcome back captain Adam Voges and wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Whiteman into the 13-man squad.

Voges has recovered from a hamstring injury and is in line to play his first game since New Year’s day, while Whiteman returns to the team after missing a game due to concussion.

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The skipper should be a welcome addition to the batting line-up after the top order was reduced to 5-34 in their previous outing.

Meanwhile for Hobart, spinner Clive Rose is the sole inclusion to the squad, replacing Sam Rainbird. Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara has been named, but is no certainty to make the XI after experiencing a disappointing season with the bat.

Prediction
The Canes are capable of pulling off the seemingly impossible, fresh from a record run chase of 223 against the Melbourne Renegades. They will need to replicate that type of effort again if they are to make the finals for the first time since BBL03.

Boasting this season’s only centurion to date – Ben McDermott – and venerable veterans George Bailey and Tim Paine, the Hurricanes have the firepower to set or chase down any total.

The reverse is true for the Scorchers, with bowling being their greatest strength, while too much of the batting load has been left for Michael Klinger.

If current form holds true it will be strength vs strength. Hobart’s explosive batsmen vs Perth’s feared paceman. On a small Bellerive Oval, where big scores have often been posted, Hobart hold a slight advantage.

Hobart to cause an upset in a thriller.

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Join The Roar for live scores from 4:20pm (AEDT).

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