BBL 15: Scorchers win a close contest; Heat win battle of the bottom-placed teams
Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers
In the first match of Sunday's double-header, Perth Scorchers took on Hobart Hurricanes at the Bellerive Oval. After winning the toss, the Scorchers elected to bat first and put on a very good total on board after an excellent innings played by English batsman, Michael Carberry.
The Scorchers, who missed Shaun Marsh owing to national duty, brought in Marcus Harris at the top of the order. Harris could not quite get going and fell cheaply for just 12 runs. Michael Klinger, who is fourth on the run-getters list, played a handy knock of 36 to set the Scorchers on course for a good score.
Carberry smashed nine fours and one six to score a crucial knock of 62 off 35 balls. Cameron Bancroft and David Willey contributed with useful scores of 26 and 25* respectively to take the Scorchers to 173/5 in 20 overs.
Shaun Tait was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up two wickets for just 29 runs in four overs.
In reply, the Hurricanes did not get to the best of starts as they lost two wickets in 6.1 overs, Sri Lankan batting legend, Kumar Sangakkara falling for just six runs. Hurricanes’ captain, Tim Paine scored a 47-ball 57 to give his team a chance in the chase.
However, none of the other batsmen were able to get settled in as they departed for mediocre scores. Daniel Christian, Michael Hill, and Jonathan Wells all were dismissed in their twenties as the Hurricanes were pretty much out of the game at 132/5 in 17.2 overs.
West Indian all-rounder, Darren Sammy did give the Scorchers a minor scare with his lusty blows as he scored 28 runs off 12 balls and almost got the Hurricanes over the line.
Ashton Agar picked up two wickets for the Scorchers as Willey, Andrew Tye, and Brad Hogg got a wicket each. Michael Carberry was named the man of the match for his batting performance.
With the victory, Scorchers go to the top of the table replacing the Adelaide Strikers on net run rate. The Hurricanes remain in the fifth position.
Unbelievable finish but the Scorchers get it done & we're top of the table!!! Not far off a home semi-final too! #MADETOUGH
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 10, 2016
Brief Scores: Perth Scorchers 173/5, 20 overs (Carberry 62, Klinger 36; Tait 2/29, Rose 1/11) beat Hobart Hurricanes 172/6, 20 overs (Paine 57, Sammy 28*; Agar 2/38, Willey 1/23) by one run.
Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat
The second match of Sunday's double-header was between the bottom-placed teams, the Sydney Sixers and the Brisbane Heat at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Both teams featured a debutant each – Mitchell Swepson for the Brisbane Heat and Nick Larkin for the Sixers – probably hoping that they would inspire their respective team to a better season.
The Heat won the toss and elected to bat first and after opener Jimmy Peirson hit a 114m six off Jackson Bird would have hoped that the openers would get their team off to a good start. However, Peirson lost his wicket soon as he went for an expansive shot again.
Tournament's top-scorer and Heat captain, Chris Lynn did not trouble the scorers as he was dismissed for just one run. A 73-run partnership between Lendl Simmons and Joe Burns helped the Heat gain some stability to their innings and was set for a big score.
Simmons, who has had a disappointing season so far, came good as he scored a brilliant 54 off 30 balls, 42 runs in that innings coming via boundaries. Burns, who started his innings slowly, accelerated to reach his fifty and scored a very crucial knock of 60.
However, none of the other batsmen impressed for the Heat as the Sixers fought back in the last few overs to restrict the Heat to just 162/8 in 20 overs.
Sean Abbott was the most impressive of the Sixers’ bowlers as he picked up three wickets and gave away only eight runs in the two overs he bowled. Sixers’ captain, Brad Haddin used Abbott to bowl only the 18th and 20th overs.
In response, the Sixers lost wickets at regular intervals and barring a couple of batsmen none of the others were able to make a good enough score in helping the cause.
The opener, Michael Lumb, who has been in good form, scored 47 off 38 balls and was the top scorer for the Sixers. A late onslaught from the captain, Haddin gave the Sixers one last chance to try and chase down the target, but after he got out for a 24-ball 42 the Sixers never really stood a chance.
Debutant, Swepson was the pick of the bowlers for the Heat as finished with bowling figures of 2/26 in three overs. Joe Burns was named the player of the match for his well made 60 runs.
This was the Heat's second win of the tournament. However, they remain rooted to the bottom of the table, with the Sixers just above them in the seventh position.
Seen 2 balls from Swepson, lot to like. Nice energy through the crease & gives it a rip. Slip please, let's keep an eye on this guy #BBL05
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 10, 2016
Brief Scores: Brisbane Heat 162/8, 20 overs (Burns 60, Simmons 54; Abbott 3/8; Bollinger 1/23) beat Sydney Sixers 156/8, 20 overs (Lumb 47, Haddin 42; Swepson 2/26, Cutting 2/41) by six runs.