The Hobart Hurricanes will have to overcome a poor record and the most professional team in the Big Bash League when they travel west to take on the Perth Scorchers in the first semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEDT).
The Scorchers themselves are in unfamiliar territory, moved from the WACA to the new Optus Stadium, which made its cricket debut on Sunday during the fifth ODI between England and Australia.
What the Scorchers may lose in familiarity to the conditions they will make up for in support, with upwards of 50,000 fans expected to pack into the venue.
Perth are the best team in the Big Bash League’s history by a considerable distance. In six seasons, they have won three premierships and only ever missed one grand final.
It’s hard to see them missing another one here either. Despite missing plenty of talent through injury and Australian selection, players like Ashton Turner and Hilton Cartwright have carried the defending champions.
However, their bowling attack has been decimated. Andrew Tye has been their best, but is with the Australian T20 squad, as is Ashton Agar, while David Willey is in the England side.
That will transfer plenty of pressure onto the shoulders of Mitchell Johnson and Jhye Richardson, who have bowled well but inconsistently this season.
Perth do get Shaun and Mitchell Marsh back though, which is a huge boost for the men in orange.
Hobart have been up and down during the season and fell into the finals as the Brisbane Heat faltered against the Melbourne Renegades during the last match of the season.
If there was ever a record not suiting the Tasmanians, it’s the fact they haven’t won a single one of their last six matches against the Scorchers. Despite winning their first two games against the Perth-based franchise, they haven’t been cited on the winner’s list since.
The Hurricanes finished their season with three straight losses, falling to the Stars, Scorchers and Strikers. The performances were a far cry from when they sat in the top two, but most of that was on the back of D’Arcy Short, who has also been called up to the Australian T20 squad.
Without Short, Alex Doolan and George Bailey need to stand up with the willow.
Prediction
The Scorchers might be away from the WACA, but the Hurricanes were lucky to scrape into the finals as it was and don’t stand much of a chance.
Scorchers to advance easily.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Big Bash League semi-final from 7:10pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Johnno
Guest
I think we underestimated the loss of Tye & Agar. Chasing such a big score leaves any batting line up under pressure...no matter who they are.
Marshall
Guest
Really? Because Perth had SUCH a weekend batting lineup which got rolled... Klinger Bancroft Marsh Marsh Voges Turner Cartwright.... That's possibly the strongest batting lineup but out in a BBL game this season...
JamesH
Roar Guru
Short might be released to play, in which case Reardon will probably make way and Paine will drop down to 3. Tom Rogers was impressive last night.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
They missed Agar.One of the Marsh brothers would have been enough. The first time the Scorchers have ever given up 200+ due to their worst bowling effort of the season. Time for someone else to win it.
Sandgroper
Guest
CA are partly to blame for the loss. Its farcical in having internationals on at the same time. This is up there when CA had Australia A playing Australia in promoting players into the first squad. However, the Scorchers were also a tad arrogant with their bowling.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Thanks Scott!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live scores of the 2017-18 Big Bash League as the Perth Scorchers were knocked out of the competition by the Hobart Hurricanes. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. That's me done for the Big Bash, but be sure to tune in tomorrow as we bring you live coverage of the WBBL and BBL second semi-final, then again on Sunday for the two finals. I'll be on tomorrow from 1pm (AEDT) for Australia's first round Davis Cup tie against Germany. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Matthew Wade has been named man of the match.
Alistair
Guest
I think the bowling strategy from Voges was wrong, as was bowling first itself, and the Scorchers looked like they suffered from a lot of team changes and also team role changes from members who stayed in the squad, batting order being the most obvious. Will be interesting to see the Strikers without Carey and Stanlake tomorrow. The TL DR version is that the Scorchers were poor, in both facets of the game. Will the Hurricanes keep the same team for the Final (other than Boyce in for Meredith, of course)?
Scott Pryde
Expert
MATCH SCORECARD Result: Hurricanes won by 71 runs Toss: Perth Scorchers to bowl INNINGS OF: HOBART HURRICANES Batting
TOTAL: 4/210 (20)
INNINGS OF: Perth Scorchers BattingTOTAL: 10/139 (17.5)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scorecards in just a moment.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that was a drubbing. The Hurricanes have dominated from the outset. It was Matthew Wade who set the tone early on with his 71, followed by Ben McDermott's 67 at a strike rate of more than 200. He finished not out, leading the Hurricanes to 210. The Scorchers then lost wickets at regular interviews early in their chase and never recovered.
Scott Pryde
Expert
HOBART HURRICANES WIN BY 71 RUNS WICKET! Tim Bresnan, LBW Daniel Christian 43 (26) Bresnan is out and the Hurricanes are through. Yorker at the pads and he was plumb as anything. Up goes the finger and that's the end of that. The Scorchers have been absolutely hammered by the fourth-placed Hurricanes at the new Optus Stadium. Hobart Hurricanes: 4/210 (20) Perth Scorchers: 10/139 (17.5)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bresnan gets this one away through the leg side, skying it. The ball falls safe and they charge back for two. Third umpire called in, but he was safe.
Over: 17.4 Perth Scorchers: 9/139 Required score: 211
Scott Pryde
Expert
Width this time from Christian and Johnson flat bats it to long off for a single.
Over: 17.3 Perth Scorchers: 9/137 Required score: 211
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another short one. Again not a wide and Johnson swings and misses again.
Over: 17.2 Perth Scorchers: 9/136 Required score: 211
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dan Christian to bowl his final over. Starts with a shorter one and Johnson looks to swing, missing everything.
Over: 17.1 Perth Scorchers: 9/136 Required score: 211
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another couple through the leg side for Bresnan to end the over.
Over: 17 Perth Scorchers: 9/136 Required score: 211
Scott Pryde
Expert
The game is over!Oh, wait on a minute, no it's not! Mitchell Johnson pulls a full toss down the ground, hitting it straight to Archer who completes the catch. NO BALL! Free hit coming up.Over: 16.5 Perth Scorchers: 9/134 Required score: 211