Well, that's one way to kick off the Big Bash League season! What was meant to be a full-length blockbuster between the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers turned into a frantic, rain-shortened sprint. After a long delay, the game was cut to just 11 overs per side, and it delivered all the drama you could ask for, with local hero Cooper Connolly ultimately stealing the show and guiding the Scorchers to a thrilling victory.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Perth Scorchers beat Sydney Sixers by 5 wickets in a rain-shortened 11-over match.
- ✓ Cooper Connolly was the Player of the Match for his blistering 59 off 31 balls.
- ✓ Highly anticipated debutant Babar Azam struggled, scoring just 2 runs from 5 balls.
- ✓ Jack Edwards gave the Sixers a fighting chance with a rapid 46 not out from only 21 deliveries.
- ✓ The match was delayed by 80 minutes due to heavy rain and lightning at Optus Stadium.
A Stormy Start in Perth
The day started with a whole lot of anticipation, but Mother Nature had other plans. Heavy rain and lightning rolled into Perth, causing an 80-minute delay and forcing the ground staff to bring out the covers. Fun fact: this was the first time the covers have ever been used for a BBL game at Optus Stadium since it opened back in 2018. The incredible drainage worked its magic, though, and we eventually got a game, albeit a shortened 11-over dash.
Once play began, all eyes were on one man: Babar Azam. The Pakistan superstar, headlining a new wave of international talent in the BBL, was making his much-hyped debut for the Sixers. Sporting jersey number 056, he walked to the crease early after Daniel Hughes fell for a duck. But it was a tough initiation. The bouncy Perth pitch seemed to cause him real trouble.
He was lucky to survive a couple of close calls before finally getting off the mark, slicing a ball just past the fielders for two. His luck ran out on the very next delivery, though. Facing a hard-length ball from quick Brody Couch, Babar hit it straight to mid-on, and his debut was over—a real anti-climax after so much build-up. He walked off with just 2 runs to his name from 5 balls.
The Sixers Find Their Feet
With the Sixers reeling at 15 for 2, things looked bleak. The new-look Scorchers attack, featuring recruits Couch and Joel Paris, was on fire early, and soon had the visitors in deep trouble at 41 for 4. But you can never count the Sixers out. They recovered brilliantly thanks to some muscular batting from Josh Philippe, Lachlan Shaw, and especially Jack Edwards.
Edwards was simply outstanding, bludgeoning the ball to all parts of the ground. He smashed a stunning 46 not out from just 21 balls, completely changing the momentum of the innings. His late assault lifted the Sixers to a very respectable total of 113 for 5. Suddenly, a game that looked like it was slipping away from them was right back in the balance.
The Scorchers' Chase and Connolly's Masterclass
Despite the challenging total, the Scorchers would have been confident. The hard pitch and lightning-fast outfield were perfect for chasing. The fans in orange were giddy with excitement, ready to see power-hitters Mitchell Marsh and Finn Allen let loose. But the drama continued when Marsh, who has barely played in the BBL recently, was dismissed for a third-ball duck. He edged a delivery from Charlie Stobo, and who was there to take a fantastic catch over his head at first slip? None other than Babar Azam, getting a bit of his own back.
Finn Allen launched a couple of huge sixes to get the crowd roaring, but he couldn't go on with it, holing out for 16. With the chase at a crossroads, in walked Cooper Connolly. What followed was a truly match-winning performance. Batting at number three, Connolly played with a fluency and confidence that completely took the game away from the Sixers.
An Unstoppable Force
The young man's ball-striking was just supreme. He has been likened to players like Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head, and tonight we saw why. He dominated a crucial 48-run partnership with his skipper, Ashton Turner, hitting the ball to every corner of the ground. He brought up a blistering fifty from just 24 balls, putting the Scorchers firmly in the driver's seat.
After the match, Connolly summed up the mindset in these shortened games perfectly, saying, "You are not quite sure what's going to happen in such games. You go out there trying to play some high-action cricket and it's good to come out on top." He also admitted, "I should have been there at the end," showing his high standards even in victory.
A Nail-Biting Finish
Just when it looked like Connolly would cruise his team to victory, he holed out to Jack Edwards at long-off with just nine runs needed. His stunning knock of 59 from 31 balls, which included three fours and five massive sixes, had done its job. But his dismissal, off a Ben Dwarshuis delivery, certainly added a late twist.
The pressure was on, with the Scorchers needing 17 runs from the final 12 balls. Laurie Evans came to the crease and immediately showed his intent. After a couple of quick runs, he played an incredible scoop shot for six that leveled the scores. But in another twist, he was caught on the very next ball! It was a rollercoaster of an over from Dwarshuis.
With the scores tied, it all came down to skipper Ashton Turner. On the first ball of the final over, he calmly moved inside the line of a back-of-a-length delivery and helped it past the keeper to the fine leg fence for four. Game over. The Scorchers had clinched a clinical victory with five balls to spare, kicking off their campaign in style.
Conclusion
What a rollicking start to the season! This rain-affected clash had everything: a disappointing debut for a superstar, a stunning counter-attack, and a match-winning innings from a young gun with a massive future. While all the pre-game talk was about Babar Azam, it was Cooper Connolly who truly lit up Perth Stadium and proved to be the hero of the night.
The Perth Scorchers get their season off to a winning start, showing that even with a slightly different lineup, they are still a formidable force. For the Sydney Sixers, it's a tough loss, but the fight they showed with the bat, particularly from Jack Edwards, proves they'll be a threat. One thing's for sure: if this game is anything to go by, we're in for an incredible BBL season.
