The finals hopes of Perth Scorchers go on the line when they take on the winless Sydney Thunder on Friday night at the WACA. Join us for live scores and a blog from the first ball, which is scheduled to be bowled at 7.40pm AEDT.
Perth Scorchers have played in the first two Big Bash League grand finals but unless they win tonight and take their record in BBL|03 to 2-2, it’s hard to imagine them lining up for a third shot at their first T20 title.
Having lost to the Brisbane Heat narrowly in their first match, the Scorchers successfully defended 117 against the Melbourne Renegades last weekend. However, their first innings total of 153 was easy pickings for the Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve at the WACA.
The Scorchers batting simply hasn’t been good enough so far this season, but a return to the team by Australian representative Adam Voges gives the home team a better chance tonight of victory.
Too often this season the Scorchers have relied too heavily on Shaun and Mitch Marsh, as well as Simon Katich, to score the majority of their runs.
This has placed a lot of pressure on a bowling attack that is spearheaded by quality young paceman Jason Behrendorff.
His partner in crime, Nathan Coulter-Nile, is also very effective and a dangerous wicket-taker but he remains on standby for the Australians in Sydney and is therefore unavailable.
Even still, the Scorchers strength certainly lies in their bowling, where there is plenty of depth. Brad Hogg and Michael Beer offer strong spin options while the change of pace from South African seamer Alfonso Thomas and Pakistani Yasir Arafat gives the Scorchers’ bowling a touch of class.
Against a Thunder outfit that struggles with the bat, the Scorchers will back their bowlers to lead the team to victory tonight.
The Thunder hasn’t won in nearly 800 days and their losing streak now sits at 16, including three close losses this season.
Led by Michael Hussey, the Thunder has looked the winner at various stages against cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers at the SCG and quality outfits Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars at home.
The problem for the Thunder has been poor middle-order batting. Their inability to post scores over 170, despite big contributions from Warner against the Sixers and then Hussey in their last two matches, has been costly.
Any opposition outfit knows once Eoin Morgan, their number four batsman, gets out the batting is very thin, especially without the injured Usman Khawaja and absent David Warner at the top of the order.
I’ve seen enough of the Thunder bowling to suggest if the batsman play well and get to a score of near 170 when batting first, they can lead the Thunder to that elusive victory.
Dirk Nannes is incredibly consistent and the leader of their attack. He has been well supported by the economical young paceman Gurinder Sandhu this season.
The addition of all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan provides a quality spin option as well as a big-name replacement for the missing Warner and Khawaja at the top of the batting.
Luke Feldmen injured his knee against the Stars and he may be replaced by fellow seamer Chris Tremain, who would probably join Scott Coyte as the Thunder’s other pace options tonight.
These two teams sit on the bottom half of the table because of their poor batting. For that reason, whichever team shows better form with the bat can get away with the points tonight.
This game should be close and for that reason I’ll tip an upset and go with the Thunder to end their losing run.
But for that to happen I’d say Michael Hussey is going to need to play another big innings.
jase
Guest
yeah that was stupid even if he was just having a laugh. Good win in the end but it was the Thunder, need to get a good away win.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Did the coverage show Nannes remonstrating with the umpire after the no ball? Shocking display, jumping around and the works.
Justin Cinque
Expert
So that's it from me. Make sure you're back on The Roar tomorrow for more cricket coverage - analysis and updates from the SCG before more BBL tomorrow night.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Mitch Marsh scored 34 not out. He played a steadying innings and guided Perth home. He's playing good cricket and is a real strength for the Scorchers in the middle order.
Justin Cinque
Expert
The Thunder's bowling is so average that until their batsman score 170+ they will not win a match . That's my take. Tonight they made 157 and that was pretty much always going to be got once Simon Katich showed the good form he is in. He took the game away from Sydney Thunder. The Scorchers move to 2-2, their hopes of finals are well alive. The Thunder on the other hand have lost 17 straight and simply aren't good enough. They need Khawaja back and they need another frontline bowler to help Nannes and Sandhu. Until their squad improves, the Thunder will continue to come up a bit short.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/161 after 19.2 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Marsh on 30 and he moves to 34. Front foot pull shot goes for four. The Scorchers are too good. The Thunder lose again. Perth's season on track. Simon Katich was the difference - 75 runs off 42 balls wins the Scorchers the match
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/157 after 19.1 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Tremain the bowler. Turner smashes it to mid-off. If the fielder hits the stumps, he's out. The fielder misses.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/156 after 19 Thunder 6/157 after 20 The Thunder's only hope is a wicket.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/156 after 19 Thunder 6/157 after 20 The Thunder are going to lose another match this season in the last over - their third in a row!
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/156 after 19 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Big swing and big miss.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/156 after 18.5 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Nannes bowls a big full toss. It does the batsman but the umpy calls it a waist-high full toss. Two to win.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/154 after 18.5 Thunder 6/157 after 20 A dot from Nannes.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/154 after 18.4 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Nannes hits the pad. Big shout but it pitched outside leg. They take a single.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/153 after 18.3 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Another dot from Nannes - the second of this over.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/153 after 18.2 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Nannes bowling his last over of the night. Probably the last over of the match. First ball is a dot. Second ball is worked away for two.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/151 after 18 Thunder 6/157 after 20 And a single off the last ball. Sandhu finishes with figures of 1/26.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/150 after 17.5 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Marsh plays a good shot and Kurtis Patterson's dive saves a few runs.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/148 after 17.4 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Sandhu has bowled well all night. Turner the new man is at the crease and he gets a single off his first ball.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 4/147 after 17.3 Thunder 6/157 after 20 And now a great knock ends. KATICH IS CAUGHT AT MID-OFF. 75 off 42 and he played it with a broken bottom hand - that's the word from the Scorchers coach Justin Langer.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Scorchers 3/147 after 17.1 Thunder 6/157 after 20 Sandhu bowls a full toss and it's edged for four by Katich. It's been his night.