PERTH: Perth Scorchers delivered a clinical all-round performance to outclass Sydney Sixers by 48 runs and book their place in the final of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 at Optus Stadium on Tuesday.
Asked to bat first, the Scorchers recovered from an early setback to post a competitive 147 for nine in their allotted 20 overs, with Finn Allen once again playing a pivotal role.
The hosts were rocked in the opening over when Mitchell Starc removed Mitchell Marsh for five, giving the Sixers a dream start.
Allen, however, counter-attacked alongside Aaron Hardie, and the pair added a vital 58 runs for the second wicket to stabilise the innings.
Starc returned to break the stand, dismissing Allen for a fluent 49 off 30 deliveries, an innings laced with two fours and four sixes.
The Scorchers then slipped into trouble, losing four wickets for just 20 runs and sliding to 87 for five.
Skipper Ashton Turner anchored the innings with a measured 29 off 21 balls, while Jhye Richardson chipped in with a valuable 20 off 18 down the order, ensuring Perth crossed the 140-run mark.
For the Sixers, Starc led the attack with two wickets, while Jack Edwards and Ben Dwarshuis also claimed two apiece.
Joel Davies and Ben Manenti picked up one wicket each as Sydney kept the Scorchers in check during the latter stages.
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In response, the Sixers’ chase never gathered momentum as they were bowled out for just 99 in 15 overs.
The visitors’ troubles began immediately when opener Babar Azam was dismissed for a second-ball duck, stumped by Josh Inglis off Cooper Connolly in the very first over.
The collapse continued in the fourth over when Mahli Beardman struck twice, removing Josh Philippe for 13 and captain Moises Henriques for two, leaving the Sixers struggling at 23 for three.
A brief resistance came through a 40-run partnership between Steve Smith and Lachlan Shaw, but David Payne ended that stand by dismissing Shaw for 15.
Smith, who top-scored with 37 off 24 balls, soon followed, becoming Beardman’s third victim as the Sixers lost their last hopes.
With Smith gone, the batting folded rapidly, as Sydney lost their remaining four wickets for just 25 runs to be bundled out well short of the target.
Beardman was the standout performer with the ball for the Scorchers, finishing with impressive figures of three for 20. Connolly and Payne picked up two wickets each, while Hardie and Richardson contributed with one apiece.
Despite the heavy defeat, the Sixers remain in contention for the title. They will get another opportunity to reach the final when they face the winners of the Knockout clash between Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars, scheduled for Wednesday, in the Challenger on Friday.