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And so, the curtains come down on yet another Big Bash League season. We witnessed so much this year - from a team being rolled over for 15 to another chasing down 230. From teams vaulting themselves out of the abyss to surge into the knockouts, to the Scorchers maintaining their rich legacy at the end of it all. The BBL will return in the form of a shortened version next season and at a time when it's at a tipping point, you'd have to say this was the kind of finale it needed. It was a sheer pleasure bringing the coverage of it all to you here on Sportskeeda and we can't thank you enough for tuning in for the same. Of course, there is no stoppage to cricketing action from around the globe to stick around here on this very platform and catch up on it all. For the moment though, thanking you for joining us is the duo of Pratyush Rohra and Sooryanarayanan Sesha. See you around soon - buh-bye for now and have a cracking weekend!
But tonight belongs to the Perth Scorchers. No Mitchell Marsh? No problem. No Laurie Evans? No worries sire! They still had enough at their disposal to dominate the league phase and march into the knockouts at the top of the table. There was no Cameron Green, Jhye Richardson or Ashton Agar to call upon either for the big games but they too will rejoice, with the rest of their colleagues doing the needful and getting the job done. This is a special win for the ages and a special finale to savor!
Definitely a season to be proud of for the Brisbane Heat. Spare a thought for them - they were down and out and were staring down the barrel of an early exit. Yet somehow, they punched above their weight and scripted a phenomenal turnaround to make the knockouts, stave off the Sydney Sixers without three of their superstars including Marnus Labuschagne, and then came within touching distance of holding the trophy aloft. Alas, they succumbed to pressure in certain critical moments but given that this is a young list they have, this is an experience that will hold them in great stead in time to come. And of course, potentially set the tone for a fine core that could come back to the summit clash and go one step better.
Great effort boys, so close and a season to be proud of. @HeatBBL
And now, with confetti bursting in the background, skipper Ashton Turner and head coach Adam Voges receive the BBL 12 trophy. And they hold it aloft before the entire team basks in glory with it. Five-time champions!My goodness, that is quite something! Beyond an iota of doubt, the standout team of this tournament and one of the greatest T20 teams to have graced the format. And how fitting is it that young Cooper Connolly is handed the trophy after the team breaks from the dais - we might be witnessing a poetic moment that announces the arrival of the future!
The Scorchers' players come up one by one to collect their medals from the young mascots at the Perth Stadium. A huge roar follows for each of them as their called onto the dais. And unsurprisingly, the loudest roar is reserved for Cooper Connolly! Oh the kind of ice he must have in his veins!
Jimmy Peirson (Brisbane Heat captain): First of all, thank you to the crowd for coming out in such huge numbers. 54,000 people to watch the final, it was a surreal experience.Congratulations to AT (Ashton Turner) and the Scorchers. Fantastic final tonight. Y'all have been the best team in this tournament and deserve to win it. We've come a long way this season with a lot of ups and downs. For the wins we had and a lot of talent we found to get together. Hopefully, we can do it all again and come back stronger next year.
Ashton Turner is the Player of the Match. Here is what the Perth Scorchers captain has to say: Look, it's a surreal feeling. You play a lot of games but you never know how it's going to pan out. The support has been overwhelming in this city and in this stadium, especially in the final. We've got a lot of guys in form and a lot of them contributed throughout the year to play an exciting brand of cricket. We've got a never say die attitude and that stays with the boys till the end, like we showed it today.
The Perth Scorchers captain, Ashton Turner, is overcome with emotion. What an atmosphere it is right now. Let's get some more reactions from the middle:
Andrew Tye: Unbelievable! Credit to the Heat, they put up a decent score. It's all down to the 19-20-year-old, who came out in his third or fourth game and bashed it around. Unreal. This is up there with one of the best wins for us, with the crowd behind us. I watched most of the game from the dugout. The energy on the bench when Cooper started off settled our nerves and when Hobo sent that for six, it was brilliant.
Jason Behrendorff: To play in front of 54,000 people in this run chase. It was unbelievable. I was pretty nervous when Turner got out and it seemed tough but Cooper. He came out and did what he did at 19 years of age. Unbelievable. He knows he can do it, we know he can do it and now everyone does. We love playing with each other. We've kept the group together for a long time.
Let's get some reactions in straightaway. Starting with the men of the moment:
Nick Hobson: Cooper came out and did it straight away. He's got a massive future in the game if he can do that. Massive win. Couldn't be happier. What an atmosphere. Cooper came out to me and said, 'mate just stay still'.
Cooper Connolly: Nick Hobson was pretty good for me. He told me to keep a steady base. Got some out for a six and four, and that gave me confidence. Unbelievably happy. This crowd is so good, couldn't have asked for anything better. We're a strong group and we all chip in. That's what we did today. It's so special. I've been in and out of the team, but to win it in front of the crowd is a special feeling and a dream come true.