Perth Scorchers XI and Desert Vipers play out GSL thriller

After being sent into bat, the Scorchers XI got off to a shaky start with D’Arcy Short (five) and Joel Curtis (one) both dismissed inside the first four overs of the innings to leave the side precariously placed at 2-14.  

When Usman Khan became Khary Pierre’s second victim, the Scorchers XI were reeling at 3-32 in the seventh over.

West Indies duo Andre Fletcher (40) and Akeal Hosein (32*) put on 36 runs for the fourth wicket as the Scorchers XI looked to build momentum through the middle stages of the innings.

After hitting the first six of the innings in the 14^th over, Fletcher was dismissed the following ball, pulling a delivery from spinner Vitel Lawes to deep midwicket.

A late cameo from Ashton Agar (17* off 11) helped the Scorchers XI to a competitive 6-112 on a pitch which assisted spin bowlers.

Lawes (2-18), Khary Pierre (2-14) and Shadab Khan (1-16) were standouts for Desert Vipers with the ball.

The Scorchers XI needed a strong start with the ball and Brody Couch provided just that when he removed opening batter Saiteja Mukkamalla in the third over.

International duo Akeal Hosein (4-15) and Sufyan Moqim (1-17) made the most of the spin friendly conditions to take wickets at regular intervals and keep the Scorchers XI in the match.

The Vipers, thanks to Rilee Rossouw’s 50, appeared to have the run chase under control at 5-85 in the 14^th over, before Couch ran out Vriitya Aravind with a direct hit from point off the bowling of Ashton Agar.

The Scorchers XI then wrestled back control when taking 3-1 in the space of seven balls to leave the Vipers final partnership nine runs to win from as many balls.

Despite the gallant effort defending 112, a Nathan Smith boundary on the penultimate ball of the match sealed the win for the Vipers.

The Scorchers XI will take on Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final match of their GSL campaign tomorrow morning from 7.00 AWST.