BBL 2022-23: Hardie and bowlers fly high as Scorchers demolish Sixers

Aaron Hardie hammered a fine fifty [Source: Twitter]

Riding on a spectacular fifty from Aaron Hardie and a super collective effort from the bowlers, Perth Scorchers handed Sydney Sixers a crushing 38-run defeat in the sixth match of the Big Bash League. 

The defending champions announced their arrival in a grand style with this convincing win. 

Aaron Hardie's fireworks power Scorchers to a defendable total

Hardie and Agar stitched a crucial stand [Source: Twitter]

After opting to bat first, the Scorchers got off to a disastrous start, losing their top five for only 49 runs. Jackson Bird was the wrecker-in-chief for the Sixers, dismantling the Scorchers' top order in the blink of an eye. 

However, Aaron Hardie and Ashton Agar executed a commendable resurrection, stitching a fantastic stand of 71 runs for the sixth wicket. 

After Hardie departed for a magnificent 32-ball 55, the bowlers, particularly Matthew Kelly, chipped in with some handy contributions, helping the Scorchers post 155 in 20 overs. 

Bird was the pick of the bowlers for the Sixers, scalping three wickets for 26 runs. Young spinner Izharulhaq Naveed had another impressive outing, picking two wickets for 22 runs. 

Sixers fall flat as Richardson runs riot

Jhye Richardson starred with the ball for Perth [Source: Twitter]

In reply, the Sixers had a disastrous start to the chase, as Perth seamers ran through their batting order. 

The collapse was triggered by Jhye Richardson, who removed Kurtis Patterson in the second over. Jason Behrendorff stunned the visitors with twin strikes in the next over, removing Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques in consecutive deliveries. 

Dan Christian continued his poor run, being dismissed for one by Ashton Agar in his very first over. 

Although Jordan Silk and Hayden Kerr formed a counterattacking partnership of 75 runs for the sixth wicket, it could only reduce the deficit as the Sixers eventually finished on 117, losing the match by 38 runs. 

Richardson starred with the ball for the Scorchers, claiming four wickets for only nine runs. 

Brief Scores

Perth Scorchers: 155/9 (20)
Aaron Hardie 55 (32), Ashton Agar 24 (24);
Jackson Bird 3/26 (4), Izharulhaq Naveed 2/22 (4)

Sydney Sixers: 117 (20)
Hayden Kerr 42 (35), Jordan Silk 41 (32);
Jhye Richardson 4/9 (4), Jason Behrendorff 2/22 (4)

Perth Scorchers won by 38 runs. 

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