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.
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Final score
Hobart Hurricanes 6/134
Perth Scorchers 3/135
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.
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.
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.
Join The Roar for live scores from 4:20pm (AEDT).
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's all from me for this match but be sure to stick around on the Roar for the last game of the Big Bash where the Melbourne Stars will play host to the Sydney Sixers.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
So the Scorchers have made it six finals trips in six seasons. What an organisation this is. Despite a handy 7th wicket partnership of 46 between Clive Rose and Jonathan Wells the Hobart Hurricanes limped to 134 - a score well below par. Pace duo Mitchell Johnson and Tim Bresnan each picked up two wickets hampering the Hobart innings early, whilst Ashton Agar kept Hobart tied down in the middle overs with 22/1. Requiring a big win over their opponents the Hurricanes were behind the eight ball from the start, and a return to form from Shaun Marsh ensured their misery did not last too long with Perth romping home to a seven wicket win with 37 deliveries remaining. The Perth Scorchers now have a home final to look forward to while the Hurricanes now join the Strikers and the Thunder as the eliminated teams.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Shaun Marsh is named Man of the Match for his 57 of 34.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Well that ended in a hurry. The Perth Scorchers have won by three wickets but more importantly have completed the chase quick enough to boost their net run rate to guarantee themselves a home semi final. Perth Scorchers 135/3 after 13.5 chasing 135 Voges 20 Turner 16
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR Decent short ball from Broad, but just a little to leg side, allowing Turner to glove this down to fine leg.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR Carnage in the last couple of overs. Turner throws his bat at a slower ball that is full and wide, managing to slice it through point for another four.
Haydos
Guest
Scorchers earn a home semi final. Big result considering some of their nest pkayers5have missed the whole season. Brisbane could lose their home semi if Stars win well today.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Broad to continue, will his last over. Is this the last over of the match?
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
24 runs from Boyce's third over. The Scorchers are well on their way to a home semi final Perth Scorchers 123/3 after 13.0 chasing 135 Voges 19 Turner 7
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
SIX Turner's time now, slog sweeping a tossed up ball outside off. Poor Boyce is being hammered this time smacked over square leg.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
SIX Boyce is being mauled, Voges comes down the track again and clobbers the bowler straight down the ground for his third boundary in a row
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
SIX Bowled flatter and straighter by Boyce but it's pasted by Voges with a strong slog sweep easily traveling the distance.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR Class shot from Voges, skipping down the track and playing an inside out cover drive along the turf for his first boundary.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Boyce continuing with his third.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Good over from Broad picking up a wicket and conceding just four runs. Perth Scorchers 99/3 after 12.0 chasing 135 Voges 2 Turner 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT Great catch from Paine who has dived to his left to dismiss Marsh. Almost a Yorker length delivery outside off stump from Broad produces a knick from Marsh. Great innings from Marsh. Marsh c Whiteman b Broad 57 (34)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The Scorchers require 37 of 24 deliveries to go top of the table. Just a tick over 9 an over, Perth Scorchers 98/2 after 11.4 chasing 135 Marsh 57 Voges 1
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Stuart Broad back into the attack replacing Dan Christian
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
11 runs and a wicket from Boyce's second over. The Scorchers captain Adam Voges makes his way out to the centre. Perth Scorchers 95/2 after 11.0 chasing 135 Marsh 55 Voges 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT Klinger tries to sweep a length ball through square leg but it bounces higher than he anticipated. As a result Klinger top edges the ball to backward square leg. Klinger c Reed b Boyce 29 (29)