BBL 5 Match 25 Review: Scorchers win a nail-biter at Bellerive Oval

Michael Carberry blasted his way back into form and led the Perth Scorchers to 5-173 to set Hobart Hurricanes a difficult run-chase that proved beyond their reach by just 1 run at Blundstone Arena in the first match of a BBL double header on today. Clive Rose opened the bowling for Hobart, picking up Marcus Harris (12) stumped in his second over while Michael Klinger (36) was run out by Sam Rainbird, who had a mixed afternoon in the field.

Carberry started Perth’s acceleration in the middle overs, taking Dan Christian for 14 before following up with 17 off the leg-spin of Cameron Boyce. Carberry’s chances had been limited with the bat due to Perth’s success. Huge wins in the competition had meant his batting was not required, restricting the left-hander to the nets. The England international stepped up with the Scorchers losing several of their biggest names to Australia duty.

Carberry departed for 62 from 35 balls, edging Shaun Tait who bowled with aggressive intent all afternoon. Adam Voges, fresh from winning the inaugural Richie Benaud Medal as player of the series in the Australia-West Indies Test series, could only manage two before being caught on the fence. Big-hitting David Willey turned the screws on Darren Sammy in the final over. He finished unbeaten on 25 off 9 that included 2 fours and 1 six. Wicket-keeper batsman Cameron Bancroft made 26 not out off 22 balls. Tait was Hobart’s best, finishing with 2-29 and regularly topping 145kph. He had Ashton Agar miscuing to pop a catch to the covers in his final over to help stymie Perth’s assault.

Tim Paine led the way with a brilliant 57 off 47 balls that included 4 fours and 2 sixes but his departure left the home team needing nearly 11 runs per over in the final 5 over. Ben Dunk and Kumar Sangakkara made 9 and 6 respectively to leave the home team on 43/2 in 6.1 overs before Paine and Dan Christian resurrected the innings.

Christian departed for 26 off 22; his being the third wicket of the home side’s innings. Michael Hill smashed Brad Hogg for 2 sixes to keep Hobart’s hopes alive. He departed for 23 off 15. Meanwhile, Jonathan Wells also contributed 20 off 10 before being run out in the final over.

The drama though, unfolded after the West Indian Darren Sammy walked out to the middle. He hammered 2 sixes and 1 fours to bring the equation down to 6 off 2. Andrew Tye’s perfect yorker denied him any room and carried all the way to the keeper. Wells, trying to steal a single, was run out in the process of doing so. Sammy spanked a 4 down the ground off the final ball that gave the visitors a 1-run win. Sammy’s 28 off 12 was nevertheless a valiant effort.

Brief Scores:

Perth Scorchers: 173/5 in 20 overs (M Carberry 62; S Tait 2/29)

Hobart Hurricanes: 172/6 in 20 overs (T Paine 57; A Agar 2/38)

Man of the match: Michael Carberry (Perth Scorchers)