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Scorchers snatch Big Bash title in thriller
Perth Scorchers have etched themselves into BBL history as indisputably the greatest franchise in the competition’s short history, after they recorded their second consecutive title victory in their fourth straight Big Bash final, against Sydney Sixers at Manuka Oval on Wednesday night.
The final-ball epic was the perfect way to conclude the six-week tournament that exemplified the growth and rise of domestic cricket in Australia.
After Sixers skipper Moises Henriques won the toss and led his side to a competitive 5/147, the Scorchers looked well in control going at better than a run a ball, without the loss of a wicket at the halfway mark.
Tight bowling led to a run rate that ball by ball snuck away from the Scorchers, despite wickets in hand. It was all set for a frenetic finish, one that was fitting for one last over of brilliance from retiring legend Brett Lee. He did everything right, although a missed run out opportunity proved to be the telling moment, bringing about jubilant and equally despairing scenes.
At the top of the Sixers’ innings, international duo Michael Lumb and Riki Wessels failed to lay a substantial platform, both dismissed within the first three overs.
Danger man Nic Maddinson had his fair share of fortune, edging to the boundary on a couple of occasions. The hard-hitting left-hander never looked like getting going, Yasir Arafat the man to remove him with a perfectly executed inswinging yorker.
The Sixers looked in further trouble at 4/49 when a bewildered Jordan Silk was on the end of a Brad Hogg special that spun through the gate.
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Class and poise was needed in order for the Sixers to recover from their poor start, a task willingly accepted by Henriques and Ryan Carters.
The pair put on 98 runs from 64 deliveries, lifting the Sixers’ total to a defendable 5/147. Henriques led from the front powering his way to a knock of 77 that ended run out on the final ball of the innings. Carters provided the support with an important unbeaten 35.
Jason Behrendorff capped his stellar season off, yielding 19 runs and a wicket off his four overs. Just over a week from his 44th birthday, and potentially an IPL contract, Bradley Hogg finished with typically economical figures of 1/25 off four.
Shaun Marsh and Michael Klinger once again got the Scorchers off to a promising start at the top of the order, moving the score along at a run a ball approaching the ten over mark.
The experience of Brett Lee got the better of Klinger as he failed to get all of a slower ball, comfortably caught at deep mid-wicket by Sean Abbott for 33.
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After Klinger’s departure the Scorchers camp would have had one eye on the required run rate and the other on their captain Adam Voges and Marsh, still relatively confident of a second consecutive BBL title.
Boundaries proved hard to come by in the following three overs, Voges’ attempt to break the shackles came unstuck, as a Doug Bollinger bouncer was skied and well caught by a fast-moving Carters.
Scoreboard pressure to the tune of twelve an over soon filtered into the minds of those at the crease, Marsh’s brilliant innings of 73 came to a close after he fell five meters short of the rope against Nathan Lyon, Abbott once again accepting the catch. Lyon then removed Ashton Turner two balls later, Abbott the beneficiary for the third time.
The Stadium was abuzz as the game entered its final overs with the game teetering on a knife’s edge. New man to the crease Nathan Coulter-Nile took no time to settle in, blasting Nathan Lyon’s final delivery over the rope, making the equation eight off the final over.
Who else but Brett Lee was entrusted in bowling the last over. The fairy-tale finish to a remarkable career was set. Michael Carberry had no sense of theatre, nonchalantly ramping Lee’s first delivery to the right of the keeper for four.
Three balls in, the trademark Lee chainsaw celebration came out for the final time, yorking Coulter-Nile who adventurously went after another ramp.
One run was required off the last two balls as Sam Whiteman nervously strolled to the crease. Lee then produced a memorable penultimate delivery, tearing through the keeper-batsman first ball. His very last delivery in competitive cricket shaped as one of his most important. He was on a hat-trick and needed to bowl a dot ball to send the game to a Super Over.
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What transpired sent players and spectators alike into a contrasting emotional frenzy. Yasir Arafat bunted the ball to mid-wicket, and looked certain to be short of his ground, although a fumbled run out attempt at the bowlers end denied the Sixers of victory and handed the Scorchers their second consecutive Big Bash title.
Shaun Marsh was awarded the player of the final for his 73, as the Scorchers joined the Sixers in representing Australia in the Champions League tournament later this year.
Perth Scorchers 6/148 defeated Sydney Sixers 5/147
