×
×
Chasing a target of 147, the Perth Scorchers struggled at 37 for 3. However, a game-changing 68-run partnership between allrounder Cooper Connolly and captain Ashton Turner turned the tide. After returning from a fractured hand sustained in last month’s third ODI against Pakistan, Connolly played a crucial knock, scoring 64 off 51 balls. As calm […]
Chasing a target of 147, the Perth Scorchers struggled at 37 for 3. However, a game-changing 68-run partnership between allrounder Cooper Connolly and captain Ashton Turner turned the tide. After returning from a fractured hand sustained in last month’s third ODI against Pakistan, Connolly played a crucial knock, scoring 64 off 51 balls. As calm and composed as ever, Turner finished the match and secured victory for the Scorchers.
There was late drama when Melbourne Stars’ Hilton Cartwright was stretchered off the field after a neck injury. Cartwright had sprinted from deep point in a bid to stop a boundary from Connolly and appeared to jar his neck as he hit the turf. The Western Australian cricketer left the field with the support of a neck brace, receiving warm applause from the crowd as he was taken to the hospital. The Scorchers marked their seventh consecutive win over the Stars, much to the delight of the 30,649-strong crowd, setting a record for a BBL season-opener.
Read the newest blogs available at IPLbookmakers.
The Stars’ total of 146 for 9 appeared below par. Still, there were concerns over the weakened Scorchers’ batting lineup, missing key players such as injured No. 3 Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis, part of Australia’s Test squad. Expectations were high for New Zealand opener Finn Allen, who had impressed during an intra-squad match at the WACA with a series of big hits.
Allen wasted no time in making an impact, launching compatriot Adam Milne for a colossal six over wide long-on, sending the orange-clad crowd into a frenzy. However, Milne bowled him off the very next delivery. The Scorchers’ situation worsened as English top-order batsmen Keaton Jennings and Matt Hurst struggled to cope with the extra bounce.
As usual, captain Ashton Turner stepped in to steady the ship, taking his time to anchor the innings. Connolly, who typically prefers to bat at No. 6, showcased his adaptability by dominating with the bat and reaching his maiden BBL half-century. Although Connolly couldn’t finish the job, falling after the Scorchers took the power surge in the 14th over, Turner, who had been sidelined for much of the domestic season due to injuries, remained calm and guided the team to victory with an unbeaten 37. The Scorchers comfortably chased down the target in the 18th over.
The new season saw the same formidable Scorchers’ attack, which once again lived up to its reputation. Jason Behrendorff, a consistent threat with the new ball, was at his menacing best. Although he didn’t take wickets in his opening two-over spell, his swing created pressure that contributed to the early dismissals of Joe Clarke and Sam Harper.
Behrendorff’s trademark swing was evident as he started the season with a maiden over. The pressure he built allowed Jhye Richardson to capitalize, dismissing Harper’s Plumb lbw with a wide grin as he appealed to the umpire, who upheld the decision on review. Richardson then added the wicket of Beau Webster in the 17th over, further sealing the Scorchers’ early dominance.
It was a comprehensive display from the Scorchers’ full-strength attack. Speedster Lance Morris regularly hit 145 km/h. At the same time, left-arm spinners Ashton Agar and Connolly, returning from injuries, each claimed a wicket, completing a well-rounded performance from the bowling unit.
A new era has dawned for the Melbourne Stars, a high-profile franchise still searching for its first title, with Marcus Stoinis taking over the captaincy from Glenn Maxwell, who stepped down after five seasons. Stoinis came to the crease under pressure but was unfazed by his experience in Western Australian cricket’s fast and bouncy conditions. He quickly adapted, liking Lance Morris’ extra pace and launching Ashton Agar for a massive six down the ground, becoming the sixth batter in BBL history to hit 100 sixes.
As the batting conditions improved, Stoinis continued to attack, attempting to muscle every delivery, including launching a full-pitched delivery from Jhye Richardson so hard that it broke his bat. However, disaster struck shortly after when Stoinis, attempting a quick single, was run out by a stunning direct hit from Andrew Tye at mid-on. Stoinis immediately knew his fate and, visibly frustrated, threw his head back and tossed his bat. He walked off after scoring 37 off 33 balls. Tom Curran, recruited from the Sydney Sixers, provided some late resistance with a quickfire 37 off 19 balls. Still, the Stars’ shorthanded attack, missing Scott Boland, couldn’t defend the sub-par total.
Read More: Rodrigues and Sadhu Guide India to Big Win on a Flat Pitch