117/5 (10.1)
CR : 11.51
113/5 (11.0)
CR : 10.27
Perth Scorchers won by 5 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Cooper Connolly
59(31)
The Scorchers require just a single from the final over, which will be bowled by Mitchell Perry.
10.1
4
M Perry to A Turner
FOUR RUNS!!!! Turner turns it away to the fence to start the Scorchers' season with a win!!! Over the wicket. Good length delivery angling down the leg. Turner gets a feather on it and he glances it to deep fine leg for a boundary. A convincing 5-wicket win for the hosts with 5 balls to spare in this rain-affected encounter.
PRS won by 5 wickets
PRS won by 5 wickets
4:56 PM IST, 7:26 PM Local Time: That’s it. Perth Scorchers start their Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 campaign on a winning note. They beat Sydney Sixers by five wickets in the rain-curtailed fixture at the Optus Stadium to grab two points. The Sixers weren’t at their absolute best today and have finished on the wrong side.
After a more than an hour’s rain delay, the play began and the match was reduced to 11-overs-per-side. The Sixers were asked to bat first and they lost Daniel Hughes (0) in the very first over. Debutant Babar Azam looked scratchy at the crease before getting dismissed on two in the third over.
The Scorchers bowled tight lines and lengths and removed Moises Henriques (9) and well-set Philippe (28) in a quick succession. Lachlan Shaw and Jack Edwards resurrected the innings with a very good 48-run stand. Shaw fell on 19 in the penultimate over of the innings.
Edwards hit some lusty blows and played a fine cameo of 21-ball 46 to power the Sixers to 113/5 at the end of their innings. For the Scorchers, Brody Couch (2/12), Aaron Hardie (1/16) and Joel Paris (1/29) entered the wickets column.
Chasing 114, Mitchell Marsh fell on a bronze duck in the opening over. Cooper Connolly at three started positively. Finn Allen at the top of the order scored 16 before holing out in the deep in the fourth over. Aaron Hardie got a start at four but departed on 13 while trying to up the ante.
Connolly, tough, was unfazed as he kept finding the boundaries and brought up his fifty in just 24 balls. He received good support from his skipper Ashton Turner as both took their side within the touching distance. Connolly scored 59 off 31 before holing out in the deep in the penultimate over.
Laurie Evans joined Turner and scored eight before falling while trying to finish things off in style. Turner remained unbeaten on 16 and took his side across the line with five balls to spare. Ben Dwarshuis (2/36), Charles Stobo (1/13), Jack Edwards (1/22) and Todd Murphy (1/26) were the wicket-takers for the Sixers but they failed to defend the total.
After a more than an hour’s rain delay, the play began and the match was reduced to 11-overs-per-side. The Sixers were asked to bat first and they lost Daniel Hughes (0) in the very first over. Debutant Babar Azam looked scratchy at the crease before getting dismissed on two in the third over.
The Scorchers bowled tight lines and lengths and removed Moises Henriques (9) and well-set Philippe (28) in a quick succession. Lachlan Shaw and Jack Edwards resurrected the innings with a very good 48-run stand. Shaw fell on 19 in the penultimate over of the innings.
Edwards hit some lusty blows and played a fine cameo of 21-ball 46 to power the Sixers to 113/5 at the end of their innings. For the Scorchers, Brody Couch (2/12), Aaron Hardie (1/16) and Joel Paris (1/29) entered the wickets column.
Chasing 114, Mitchell Marsh fell on a bronze duck in the opening over. Cooper Connolly at three started positively. Finn Allen at the top of the order scored 16 before holing out in the deep in the fourth over. Aaron Hardie got a start at four but departed on 13 while trying to up the ante.
Connolly, tough, was unfazed as he kept finding the boundaries and brought up his fifty in just 24 balls. He received good support from his skipper Ashton Turner as both took their side within the touching distance. Connolly scored 59 off 31 before holing out in the deep in the penultimate over.
Laurie Evans joined Turner and scored eight before falling while trying to finish things off in style. Turner remained unbeaten on 16 and took his side across the line with five balls to spare. Ben Dwarshuis (2/36), Charles Stobo (1/13), Jack Edwards (1/22) and Todd Murphy (1/26) were the wicket-takers for the Sixers but they failed to defend the total.
Player of the Match: Cooper Connolly
Cooper Connolly (POTM): "Yeah, you don't know what's going to happen in those kind of games. You go out there, expecting a bit of fast-paced cricket and that's what it was tonight but it is nice to come out on top.
(On things he has worked on during off season) Still hidden, didn't quite need it to be honest tonight. But hopefully, later in the tournament, it will come out.
Especially, in a 10-game tournament, it is nice to start well. It makes it easier for you in the back end. Still plenty of cricket to be played.
Should have been there in the end, that's what I was upset about but we got over the line. Happy for the team."
(On things he has worked on during off season) Still hidden, didn't quite need it to be honest tonight. But hopefully, later in the tournament, it will come out.
Especially, in a 10-game tournament, it is nice to start well. It makes it easier for you in the back end. Still plenty of cricket to be played.
Should have been there in the end, that's what I was upset about but we got over the line. Happy for the team."
That wraps up our coverage of the opening game of BBL 2025-26. Tomorrow, Melbourne Renegades lock horns against Brisbane Heat. Do join us for that riveting contest. Also, keep joining us for more cricketing action all around the globe.
For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Ajay Pal Singh and scorer Bishal Mandal. Bye bye.
For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Ajay Pal Singh and scorer Bishal Mandal. Bye bye.