The Scorchers remarkable run of success has rolled on with Perth claiming a record sixth first place BBL finish with victory over the Melbourne Stars on Saturday night.
As a result of their six-wicket win at Optus Stadium, Perth will host Tuesday’s qualifying final – with that winner to then host the BBL final next weekend.
Set 131 for victory off the back of star Jhye Richardson’s 4-16 off 3.2 overs, the Scorchers shook off their early 3-26 jitters to get home with 19 balls to spare.
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It was Finn Allen who did the damage – but he was given two lives on his way to 69 (off 39 balls) first by substitute fielder Blake Macdonald and then by the skipper Marcus Stoinis.
While it was jubilation for the Scorchers who got home without using their power surge, the Stars will now face the winner of Sunday’s Sixers vs Heat clash in an elimination final.
The men in green were their worst enemy as they lost 3-15 to open the innings and then 5-17 in an epic collapse after Stoinis (55 off 37) fell.
Stoinis was the only Star to show some resistance as he clobbered five fours and two sixes.
But with eight teammates failing to reach double digits, he had little support around him.
Earlier, it was Connolly who snared two wickets in two balls in the opening over, and Melbourne’s start only got worse when their leading run scorer Sam Harper (6 from 6) departed moments later.
At 3-15, it was “disaster” for the visitors as the Scorchers were in complete control.
But skipper Marcus Stoinis and Campbell Kellaway led the fightback, with Stoinis’ 95m six off Luke Holt bringing up the pair’s 50-run partnership.
Just as the Stars looked to be steadying, Kellaway threw his wicket away as he feathered Aaron Hardie through to Josh Inglis.
At the mid-innings drinks break, the Stars were 4-67.
Surprisingly Glenn Maxwell remained in the sheds as West Aussie Hilton Cartwright was promoted to join Stoinis in the middle.
“Just wondering if they are thinking Maxwell for the surge,” former England skipper Michael Vaughan questioned.
“Bit of an old school thinker – there’s 60 balls remaining, I want Glenn Maxwell out there.
“I just don’t know why you’d want to keep him in the dugout – there’s only 60 balls remaining.
“You’d want him to face as many as possible from here on in.”
Despite being 3-15, the Stars reached 4-100 before disaster struck once more – and then the visitors collapsed in a heap.
Stoinis (55 off 39) could only throw his head back when he sent one down Jhye Richardson’s throat, as his wicket sparked Perth’s quick haul of 5-17.
That included series best figures for Perth of 3-8 in the power surge where Glenn Maxwell (3 off 8) came and went in a hurry.
Richardson finishing his power surge over with a double wicket maiden.
The Stars were rolled for 130 inside 19 overs as Richardson claimed 4-16.
In reply, Connolly’s lean run with the bat continued as he was rolled for 2 while Marsh managed just 12.
But Allen and Aaron Hardie (41* off 37) were able to guide Perth home.
BACK TO HIS BEST
It hasn’t been a summer to remember for Perth star Jhye Richardson in his return from a shoulder complaint.
Rushed back into the Australian Test calculations, Richardson then played the two-day Boxing Day Test where he took two wickets before coming back out of the team.
As a result of his Aussie commitments, Richardson has been in and out of this Scorchers team.
But on Saturday he was back to his brutal best.
Richardson took 4-16 off 3.2 overs in a spell that included a double wicket maiden in the power surge.
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Richardson opened up on his mental battles in his bid to return.
“Obviously coming back after a long injury and results don’t quite go your way on a personal level, naturally you start to question your ability,” he shared.
“It’s nice to be back taking wickets in front of a sold out crowd.
“It’s an awesome feeling.
“When you haven’t played the game for so long and you get put under pressure after not having the performances that you would like – it’s hard not to think the worst.
“As human beings we’re sort of wired to think of the worst case scenario but this is a massive relief just to get a few wickets and even just personally being able to execute what I wanted was really nice.”
CATCHES WIN MATCHES
The Melbourne Stars needed everything to go their way if they were to defend their 130 in Perth.
And despite their brilliant start where Perth were restricted to 3-26, the Stars couldn’t put the foot on Perth’s throat when required.
They gave Finn Allen two chances in similar scenes on 23 and 36 – first Blake Macdonald off Marcus Stoinis and then Stoinis himself off Mitchell Swepson.
“(Allen) he was on 37 against the ‘Gades when he was dropped on the boundary,” Michael Vaughan recalled.
“Went on to get plenty more.
“When you’ve got a relatively small total, you’ve got to take everything.”
“They haven’t been up for it in a match, in a moment they need to grasp everything,” Adam Gilchrist added.
To sum up a “lousy” night for the Stars, Glenn Maxwell later dropped Aaron Hardie on 28 when Perth still needed 15 off 34 balls.
“They are the standards they’ll need to sharpen up on if they want to progress in this tournament,” Gilchrist said.
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SQUADS
Perth Scorchers: Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Laurie Evans, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Luke Holt, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, David Payne, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner (c)
Melbourne Stars: Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke, Tom Curran, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Haris Rauf, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Marcus Stoinis (c), Mitchell Swepson