Scorchers Salute In Adelaide Run-Fest

Below are several talking points from an entertaining 32-run victory at Adelaide Oval, headlined by another brutal batting masterclass.

Marsh, Allen’s astounding start
There are none more qualified than Adam Gilchrist when it comes to analysing ball-striking, and the former Australian great was emphatic when he said of Fox Cricket’s coverage: “These will be the best Power Play highlights you could possibly ever want to see.” Mitch Marsh and Finn Allen were simply extraordinary early, taking 0-69 (Allen 37 from 14, Marsh 26 from 11) from the game’s first four overs. Six balls reached the rope and another six cleared it as both right-handers took a liking to Adelaide Oval’s famous short square boundaries. The result was the second-best total in the history of the four-over Power Play and the highest of BBL|15, at the end of which the Scorchers’ projected total was 345. When Allen was dismissed for 38 from 16, the pair had amassed 81 in 4.5 overs – the team’s best opening partnership of the campaign.  

Brilliant batters bring up another milestone
The Scorchers became the first team in Big Bash history – including when the tournament was several games longer – to post four totals of 200 or more, putting on 4-232 after being asked to bat first. It was the third time this season the Scorchers have equalled or bettered their previous best Big Bash total of 7-229 against Melbourne Stars in BBL|12, with tonight’s ridiculous effort the Club’s second-highest of BBL|15 and therefore all-time. Placing the scoring pace in context, Marsh’s far-better-than-healthy strike rate of 172.54 sat in the middle of the pack as Perth enjoyed contributions all through the scorecard.

Holt from the blue
It’s been a wild few days for legspinner Luke Holt, who wasn’t even on the Scorchers’ list late last week. Announced yesterday as a Local Replacement Player (Ashton Agar, calf), the 22-year-old was further rewarded for several years’ persistence in Scorchers academy and training squads when he received his BBL cap from Willetton teammate Aaron Hardie. An understandably nervous Holt conceded 10 runs from his first two deliveries but just eight from the next 10. His second over – the game’s 13^th, straight after the Surge – leaked only four singles, pushing the required rate from 11.75 to 12.85. Holt was also proactive in the field while patrolling the boundary and took a well-judged catch in front of the team dugout, capping off an impressive debut.

Bison breaks brother’s benchmark
Marsh’s brutal 51-ball 88 was his 15^th knock of 50 or more (two centuries, 13 half-centuries), breaking older sibling Shaun Marsh’s longstanding Scorchers record of 14 (all half-centuries). He cleared the ropes seven times – half-a-dozen over the legside in signature fashion – becoming just the second Scorcher, after Ashton Turner, to strike 100 sixes. The Australian T20 skipper also climbed into tournament’s top five run-scorers with 279 at a good clip, consigning a modest start of 25 runs in his first four innings to distant memory.

Good to have you back, Ingo
Legspinners Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce briefly slowed the Scorchers’ momentum with 2-19 in overs five, six and seven before returning ‘keeper-batter Josh Inglis (42 from 23) had his say. Fresh from the Aussies’ Ashes celebrations, Inglis reminded onlookers of his quality against slower bowling by taking 19 from six deliveries across two overs from the crafty Strikers pair.  He continued along the same vein by scoring 12 from Luke Wood’s Power Surge over before holing out to long-off from Matt Short’s bowling, his job done with exceptionally deep batting stocks in reserve.

Young quick answers the call again
Mahli Beardman is developing the invaluable habit of delivering in big moments. The 20-year-old firebrand removed in-form star Alex Carey (71 from 39) and powerful Englishman Jamie Overton in the space of three deliveries in the 16^th over, slamming the door shut on any thoughts of a Strikers revival. While his match figures of 2-43 don’t make for remarkable reading – albeit on a high-scoring night – Beardman has now stepped up several times when skipper Ashton Turner has needed a trump card.

Finals berth within reach
Tonight’s triumph propelled the Scorchers to second on the ladder with two games remaining, and improved what was already the competition’s best Net Run Rate to 1.162. Should they beat Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night, their return to finals would be assured – barring any outlandish mathematical equations. A minor premiership remains possible if Brisbane topple the Hurricanes in Hobart on Wednesday night, but the squad’s sole priority is to handle their side of the scenario.