BBL 07, Match 27, Review: Perth Scorchers beat Adelaide Strikers in the top of the table clash

Agar's career-best performance with the ball helped his team strangle the hosts.

Published - 13 Jan 2018, 15:44 IST | Updated - 13 Jan 2018, 15:44 IST

2 Min Read

The BBL fixture between Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers earlier today lived up to its hype. It was a clash between two table toppers and whoever won this match would have got a guaranteed berth in the semi-finals. The Strikers having won five out of their six encounters came into the match as the top placed team on the points table with the best net run rate.

Perth Scorchers, on the other hand, who started the season as defending champions have won five out of their seven matches and occupy the second position on the points table. While Adelaide came on the back of two consecutive wins, the Scorchers had lost their previous encounter to Sydney Thunder.

However, today’s game toppled the order. With 10 balls to spare, the Scorchers chased down their target of 114 with six wickets remaining. The defending champions have once again established their dominion as they climb to the apex of the points table and secure their qualification for the knockout stage.

Agar, Cartwright pilot Scorchers’ victory

The visitors invited the Strikers to bat first after winning the toss after which it was only Alex Carey who looked up for the game on a slow pitch at Traeger Parks. He scored 44 off just 32 deliveries only to be dismissed in the middle of the collapse which the home side suffered in the second half of their innings. Every other batsman struggled to make a statement as they could only muster 112 before getting bowled out in the 20th over.

The left-arm spinner Ashton Agar delivered a career-best T20 performance to strangle the Adelaide Strikers, returning 3-19 from his four overs – the first time he has taken three wickets in the shortest format. The 24-year-old removed Colin Ingram, Jake Lehmann and Jono Dean, taking his season tally to six wickets at 26.16 apiece. He was well assisted by Tim Bresnan (2/14) and Matthew Kelly (2/13). Even the likes of Joel Paris and William Bosisto scalped a wicket each to tip off the complete performance by the Scorchers’ bowling attack.

Cartwright backed up his superb 65 not out in a losing cause against the Sydney Thunder with another unbeaten hand that eased his teammates’ nerves. The Scorchers experienced a top order collapse on a tricky wicket that offered plenty for the bowlers, but he absorbed the pressure to finish 47 not out from 44 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Agar also played a calming hand of 26* and supported Cartwright during a strolling chase.

Rashid Khan was impressive yet again as he returned with the figures of 1/15 after his quota of 4 overs. Michael Neser and Peter Siddle also bowled well but they couldn’t pick wickets at regular intervals and eventually lost the game by six wickets.

Ashton Agar returned three wickets and an unbeaten 26 in a player-of-the-match display as defending champions the Perth Scorchers improve their record to 6-2.