The Renegades' three-wicket win over Brisbane earlier on Saturday meant either the Scorchers or Strikers could rise to fourth with victory at Perth's Optus Stadium -- as long as the margin was big enough.Â
The Strikers, batting first, had needed to taste victory by 15 runs or more, but it was Perth who achieved their aim of reaching the victory target in 18 overs or less.
Hitting back-to-back sixes to keep your team in the competition 🤯 — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) Cooper Connolly is a superstar! @BKTtires #GoldenMoment #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/4TT4dNpC1mJanuary 18, 2025
The Strikers were bowled out for 161 in 19.1 overs following standout bowling displays from 19-year-old paceman Mahli Beardman (3-17 off three overs) and Jason Behrendorff (3-21 off 3.1 overs).
The Scorchers reached the target in 16.2 overs, thanks to Cooper Connolly's unbeaten 39 off 21 balls, which featured four sixes, in front of 41,878 fans.
The result means Perth are now fourth, and will stay there if Hobart defeat the Melbourne Stars in the final match of the regular season on Sunday.
If the Stars get up, though, they will leapfrog Perth into fourth, meaning the Scorchers would miss out on the finals.Â
There were two key moments during the Scorchers' innings.
Connolly was given out LBW on six when the scoreboard read 2-80.
The golden bat winner reviewed the decision, with the replay showing Lloyd Pope's delivery had pitched outside leg stump.
Then Brendan Doggett dropped a sitter in the outfield when Turner was on nine.
Turner went on to make 21, and Connolly guided the ship following his skipper's exit to ensure the Scorchers reached the victory target well within the required 18 overs.Â
The Strikers were without Chris Lynn (hamstring) and Jamie Overton (England international duties), but got off to a flyer thanks to some big early hitting from Matt Short (40 off 21 balls) and Alex Carey (22 off 7).
The powerplay yielded 56 runs for the Strikers, and at 4-101 after 10 overs they were on track for a huge total.
But some mid-innings heroics from Beardman, who claimed the scalps of Alex Ross, Harry Manenti and Doggett, ensured the Strikers' momentum stalled.
Liam Scott (67 off 43 balls) held the key to Adelaide's hopes of posting some huge runs in the death overs.
But when he was sent packing by Ashton Agar in the 18th over among a collapse of 4-6, the Strikers limped to the end.
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