![Mahli Beardman celebrating a wicket [Source: @BBL/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1737203721235_big_bash_league.jpg?type=tq)
Mahli Beardman celebrating a wicket [Source: @BBL/x]
Perth Scorchers snapped its four-match losing streak by defeating Adelaide Strikers at home in match number 39 of the BBL 2024-25 season. Played out at the Optus Stadium in Perth, the Strikers slumped in front of an outbreak of match-defining cameos against the hosts.
Here’s the timeline of how Scorchers vs Strikers panned out in Perth:
Scorchers vs Strikers Highlights: Matthew Short Leads Strikers From The Front
Adelaide Strikers captain and opening batter Matthew Short clattered six boundaries in his 21-ball knock of 40 at the top of the order. His partner and Australian international Alex Carey made 22 from just seven balls before falling to Lance Morris in the second over of the match. Middle order batters Ollie Pope and Alex Ross failed to sustain the early momentum as both cricketers were dismissed by Jason Behrendorff and Mahli Beardman early in their innings.
Nonetheless, Short’s explosive 40 ensured the Strikers reached its team 100 around the halfway stage of the innings.
Scorchers vs Strikers Highlights: Behrendorff, Beardman Induce Late Strikers Collapse
Runs dried up for the Adelaide Strikers following the dismissal of Matthew Short to Cooper Connolly, as the visitors managed to add just 61 of them in the backend of their innings. Moreover, the Strikers failed to complete their 20 overs as they were folded up for just 161 courtesy of electric three-wicket hauls from Jason Behrendorff (3-21) and Mahli Beardman (3-17).
Ashton Agar also chipped in with a wicket, that of Adelaide Strikers’ lone half-centurion Liam Scott (67 off 43) while Lance Morris conceded 56 runs from his four overs to yield two wickets for the Scorchers.
Scorchers vs Strikers Highlights: Top-Order Collectively Chips In For Scorchers
Sam Fanning and Finn Allen extracted 33 wicketless runs from just the first two overs of the run-chase before the latter was toppled by Brendan Doggett. Fanning snared another 36 runs with number three Aaron Hardie, with both cricketers smearing swift 20s from their ends.
While Fanning was run out by Doggett for a 20-ball 29, Hardie made his way back to the dugout courtesy of D’Arcy Short for 28 from 17 balls.
Following their quick dismissals, Cooper Connolly took up the run-scoring onus by sharing match-defining partnerships with captain Ashton Turner (21 off 18) and Nick Hobson (15 off 9).
Scorchers vs Strikers Highlights: Cooper Connolly Remains Unbeaten To Ensure Big Win
Cooper Connolly launched four huge sixes from his end and remained unbeaten in his 21-ball 39* to steer the Perth Scorchers to a huge five-wicket win with 22 balls to spare.
With Scorchers sealing the game, they jumped to number four on the BBL 2024-25 points table just at the brink of the playoffs.
 "Aakash Saini")
