BBL 2016/17, Match 13th, Review: Perth Scorchers blank Sydney Thunder in an lop sided contest

Sydney Thunder slumped to 127/8 in response to Perth Scorchers first innings total of 177/4 at the WACA to hand over a simple 50 runs win to the hosts. In what can be said as the most dismal batting display of the season so far, the Thunder looked completely incapable with the bat during the second innings after winning the toss and asking the opposition to set up a target. This loss has put their title defence on life support having lost all of their three matches in the tournament so far.

Had Pat Cummins not struck a face-saving 39 from 26 balls, the scenario would have been much worse and embarrassing for the defending champions. Starting off their quest of ending the winless record, the Thunders had to deal with a twin blow in the third over itself when England left-arm swing bowler David Willey packed off both the openers – Ryan Gibson and Kurtis Patterson – in the space of three deliveries. Watson’s dismissal exactly six balls later created more troubles.

Morgan and Ben Rohrer tried arresting the slide for a few over but instead became the one to begin it wholly. After a few over of survival, Morgan was undone by Turner while in the next over Rohrer also departed. The hopes laid on Andre Russell who hasn’t fire yet in the season.

But, unfortunately, he could not do anything special apart from getting six runs from 9 balls before getting dismissed to leave the tea at 50/6. The tail-enders tried saving their team from the embarrassment. Jay Lenton (16 from 14 balls) and Chris Green (14 from 12 balls) gave support to Cummins. However, it was close to impossible for the match to turn its momentum and in the end, they could only save the team from getting all out.

It seemed the Scorchers and the Thunder played on two different surfaces. Riding on the valuable contribution from Ian Bell (45 from 38 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (44 from 27 balls), the home side posted a respectable total on the scoreboard. After a poor start, Michael Klinger and Ian Bell knitted a valuable 85 runs stand for the 2nd wicket to put the batting side in a comfortable position before Klinger fell just 3 balls after the 10th over.

The duo looked in blazing form and nothing seemed to be bothering them. Klinger wore the aggressor’s hat while Bell chose to provide him with the support. But, partnership’s end came in the Shane Watson over when the medium pacer got rid of him using a slower bouncer. Klinger was going for the pull shot but got the timing wrong and hit the ball towards mid-on. The ball stayed in the air a long time before Cummins caught it by diving forward.

Mitchell Marsh then wore Klinger’s hat and kept the aggression alive with his hard-hitting display of batting. But Bell could survive only a few overs and was forced to depart in the 15th over he was removed by spinner Chris Green. The credit also goes to debutant wicket-keeper Lenton who pulled off a good stumping.

Bell came down the track looking to go over mid-on but made no contact as the Green smartly bowled a wider delivery. The angle of the ball takes it away from the right-hander and the keeper collected his cleanly to effect the dismissal. An attacking cameo from Ashton Turner (20 from 11 balls) gave the finishing touch to the innings.

Brief Scores:

Perth Scorchers: 177/4 in 20 overs (Ian Bell 45; Shane Watson 1/18)

Sydney Thunder: 127/8 in 20 overs (Pat Cummins 39; David Willey 2/21)

Here’s an amazing fielding effort from the match: