PS vs BS (12th Match) – Highlights
This piece delves into the electrifying Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat in the 12th showdown of the Big Bash League 2024, where the PS faced off against the BH on December 26th, The Scorchers set a challenging target of 166 runs after posting 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite a valiant effort by the Brisbane Heat, they fell short, managing only 132 runs in 19.4 overs. The Scorchers won the match by 33 runs, maintaining their dominance in the competition.
Perth’s innings was off to a rocky start as Finn Allen was dismissed for a duck in the very first over, caught by Swepson off Johnson. However, Matty Hurst and Cooper Connolly steadied the ship, putting on a 62-run partnership. Hurst contributed 28 runs off 25 balls, with two fours and a six, before falling to McSweeney. Connolly continued his solid batting, scoring 37 off 37 balls with two boundaries and one six, but was dismissed by Johnson in the 15th over.
Aaron Hardie (24 off 23 balls) and Ashton Turner (22 off 13 balls) then looked to push the total higher, but both were dismissed in quick succession, with Hardie falling to Kuhnemann and Turner to Johnson. Nick Hobson was the standout performer for the PS, playing a blistering knock of 47 not out from just 16 balls, which included two fours and five sixes, taking his strike rate to an incredible 293.75. His late fireworks lifted the Scorchers to a total of 165/6.
For BH, Spencer Johnson was the standout bowler, picking up 4 wickets for just 20 runs in his 4 overs. He was well-supported by Xavier Bartlett, who was expensive, conceding 47 runs in his 4 overs, and Matthew Kuhnemann, who took 1 wicket for 27 runs. Nathan McSweeney also chipped in with a wicket, conceding 15 runs in his lone over.
Chasing 166 runs for victory, Brisbane Heat’s batting was undermined by early wickets. Tom Banton was dismissed for 7 in the first over, caught by Hurst off Morris, and Jimmy Peirson was run out for just 1. Colin Munro followed soon after, scoring just 6 before being dismissed by Kelly. Nathan McSweeney (8) was run out, leaving the Heat in deep trouble at 62/4.
Matt Renshaw (36 off 24 balls) and Max Bryant (35 off 20 balls) tried to revive the chase, but both were dismissed as the pressure mounted. Renshaw’s wicket came at 73, caught by Hobson off Tye, and Bryant followed shortly after, caught by Hobson off Behrendorff.
The Heat’s innings faltered as they kept shedding wickets at consistent intervals. Paul Walter (5), Xavier Bartlett (3), and Mitchell Swepson (2) all fell cheaply, leaving the Heat reeling at 92/7. Spencer Johnson (6) was dismissed in the 19th over, and the Heat were all out for 132 runs in 19.4 overs, handing the Scorchers a 33-run victory.
The Scorchers’ bowlers were outstanding, with Jason Behrendorff (2/32), Andrew Tye (2/23), Matthew Kelly (2/33), and Ashton Agar (1/14) playing key roles. The collective effort with the ball ensured that the Heat never had a genuine chance of chasing down the target, despite a few individual cameos.
Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat Scoreboard
Perth Scorchers– 165/6
Brisbane Heat– 132(19.4//20)
Result – Scorchers won by 33 runs
Player of the Match – Nick Hobson
PS vs BH Playing Eleven
Perth Scorchers
Finn Allen, Matty Hurst(WK), Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner(C), Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris
Brisbane Heat
Tom Banton, Jimmy Peirson(WK), Colin Munro(C), Nathan McSweeney, Matt Renshaw, Max Bryant, Paul Walter, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Swepson, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann