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The Perth Scorchers have won a record fifth Big Bash League title after captain Ashton Turner’s half-century and brilliant late cameos from Cooper Connolly and Nick Hobson secured a five-wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat.
The Scorchers added to their previous titles in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2022 after thrashing the Heat by a total of 175-7 with three balls to spare as they denied the trophy for the second time and first since 2013.
Turner (53 from 32) rallied the Scorchers from 54-3 in 30 balls, but when he and Josh Inglis (26 from 22) departed in the same innings – Turner ran out after a mix-up with Hobson – Perth needed a taxing 38 from 18 balls, only for Connolly (25no off 11) and Hobson (18no off seven) to power the side to dramatic victory.
Connolly took James Bazley 18th over 18 after smoking two sixes and fours before dropping deep in the penultimate set, while Hobson beat Michael Neser for sixes and fours in the final over which had started with the Scorchers needing 10.
Cooper Connolly’s unbeaten 25 off 11 balls helped Perth Scorchers to their fifth Big Bash League title
The Heat lost six of the first nine games of the season before claiming six wins from seven, reaching the final with consecutive play-off victories over Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers, but the turnaround was completed by the Scorchers.
Josh Brown (25 from 11) gave the Heat a quick start after captain Jimmy Peirson had chosen to bat in the final on Saturday, while there were also contributions from Sam Heazlett (34 from 30), Nathan McSweeney (41 from 37), Max Bryant (31). of 14) and Warwickshire’s Sam Hain (21 not out 16).
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David Payne took a brilliant diving catch for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League final against Brisbane Heat
Hain’s fellow Englishman David Payne (1-37) was in the Scorchers XI and the Gloucestershire seamer picked up the wicket of Brown after the Heat opener had pumped four fours and a six, before taking a diving catch to remove Heazlett off the bowling of Jason. Behrendorff (2-26).
Xavier Bartlett hit the only delivery he faced for a six over long-on as the Heat ended the innings to the maximum, but there was no spark from Neser, with the best player for the golden ducks in the final 48. against the Sixers on Saturday.
Middlesex man Stevie Eskinazi (21) then bossed a 32-run stand with Cameron Bancroft (15) for the Scorchers’ first wicket, only to dozily run out early in the fifth over after failing to dive for the ground.
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Scorchers opener Stevie Eskinazi was run out after failing to dive into the ground
The game looked to have swung to the Heat when Aaron Hardie (17), who was dropped for two by Neser at midwicket, was caught by Heazlett who leapt at the backward square and followed Bancroft back to the dugout.
But after the conclusion saw it was the Scorchers who celebrated in front of a record BBL final crowd of 53,886.
What’s next?
Live cricket continues to come to Sky Sports with SA20 continue through to the final on February 11 and on ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa begins on February 10 with the hosts against Sri Lanka.
England, looking to win the tournament for the first time since 2009, begin their campaign against the West Indies on February 11, the same day as defending champions Australia take on New Zealand.
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