New year brings change of fortunes for Scorchers as Brisbane are swept aside
Perth Scorchers gave their Big Bash League campaign a much-needed shot in the arm on Wednesday with an emphatic 40-run victory over Brisbane Heat in Carrara.
The Scorchers, who propped up the table in a miserable 2018-19 campaign after top-three finishes in each of the previous seven seasons, began 2020 with one win from four matches this term.
However, a total of 149-6 - underpinned by Cameron Bancroft's 50 - proved more than enough to get them home on this occasion as the Heat collapsed to 109 all out.
Spinners Fawad Ahmed and Ashton Agar did the bulk of the damage, returning respective figures of 3-16 and 2-16 from four overs, and an entertaining final-wicket stand of 31 in 3.3 overs between Zahir Khan and Ben Laughlin only made the final analysis more respectable for Brisbane, who now have only one victory from four games themselves.
The Scorchers' second success lifts them to four points and two off the top four.
Also see – PSL 2020 schedule
BANCROFT JUDGES CONDITIONS PERFECTLY
On a pitch that appeared two-paced, Josh Inglis (27 off 19) and Mitchell Marsh (26 off 19) briefly sparkled for the Scorchers, the latter striking two huge sixes over the leg side.
‼️ Congratulations Mitch! #MADETOUGH #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/1uvRjFb6YZ — Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) January 1, 2020
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However, it was Bancroft who made the most valuable contribution, ticking along at roughly a run a ball for most of his innings before accelerating to reach 50 from 42 balls.
Bancroft fell to the next delivery he faced, but his perfectly paced innings gave Perth a total they ultimately defended with ease as Brisbane's big hitters all failed to make an impact.
TON UP FOR LAUGHLIN
Although the Heat were well beaten, Laughlin could take pride from becoming the first bowler to claim 100 BBL wickets.
The veteran seamer came into this contest with 98 scalps and removed Marsh to get to 99 before having Agar caught behind for his milestone wicket in the final over of the Scorchers' innings.
An outstanding achievement from @Benlaughlin55 #BringTheHeat #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/5UmQMv7LsI — Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) January 1, 2020
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Laughlin also clubbed the first ball he faced for six, before prolonging the contest in an enjoyable partnership with Zahir, who had been the pick of the Heat bowlers with 2-18. The pair were the highest scorers in Brisbane's innings, Zahir making 19 not out and Laughlin adding 17, but it was not enough.