Latest Match Report – Scorchers vs Sixers 6th Match 2022/23

Perth Scorchers Defeated by 155 for 9 (Hardy 55, Bird 3-26). Sydney Sixers 117 (Kerr 42, Richardson 4-9) by 38 runs

Emerging all-rounder Aaron Hardy hit his first BBL half-century before Jhai Richardson’s Perth Scorchers attack defended a modest total in trademark fashion to defeat the Sydney Sixers in a grand final rematch at Optus Stadium. What did

After Hardy’s 32-ball 55 steered the defending champions Scorchers to glory, Richardson produced a brilliant four-wicket haul as the Sixers slumped to their second straight defeat at the start of the season.

It was a familiar victory for the Scorchers, who have won five in a row over arch-rivals Sixers.

Hardy rescued the Scorchers’ batting order with a new style

Heading into their season opener, there was an unknown in the Scorchers’ new-look top six with only Josh Ingles and captain Ashton Turner part of last season’s title-winning victory over the Sixers.

But the formidable presence of Faf du Plessis will be an antidote to the short-handed batting order. Ever an adversary for Australian fans, the 38-year-old was warmly embraced by the Scorchers faithful who turned out impressively at Optus Stadium in contrast to the modest crowd in the recent West Indies Test match.

In his first BBL game in a decade, du Plessis made just 14 as the Scorchers slumped to 5-49.

This difficulty allowed Hardy to work long at the crease. With Mitchell Marsh ruled out for the season with an ankle injury, Hardy was expected to step up after being on the sidelines last season.

He did just that by playing cautiously at first before bursting into brilliant pace during the power surge in the 13th and 14th overs.

Hardy completed his maiden BBL half-century with a six that will be noted by the national selectors, who rated the 23-year-old highly following his inclusion in the Prime Minister’s XI squad against the West Indies last month. .

A nagging heel injury has frustratingly sidelined him for the past month but Richardson has bounced back quickly. He removed title-winning teammate Curtis Patterson amid the opposition explosion, where he conceded just two runs in his opening two overs.

They weren’t done, though, as a comeback in the 17th over between power surges with Jordan Silk and Hayden Kerr gave the Sixers unexpected hope with a brilliant 75-run partnership.

But Richardson removed Kerr on the first ball of his second spell in a game-changing over at the cost of just three runs. His brilliant comeback ended with impressive figures of 4 for nine in four overs with two wickets in the final over.

Kerr may need to push the order.

For the second straight game, the Sixers’ top order failed to fire as they fell to 3 for 9, somewhat evoking the Sydney Thunder’s horror show from 24 hours earlier.

They fell further before Silk and Kerr’s partnership but eventually fell short. All-rounder Kerr is a true batsman who led the Sixers to the Grand Final last year after an incredible 98 not out as an opener against the Adelaide Strikers.

Batting at No. 7 may be too rare for Kerr after his display of clean hitting, where his 42 from 35 balls was highlighted by three big sixes. He also scored 13 not out from nine balls in their season opener against the Strikers but could be put to better use moving up the order.

The Sixers’ Afghanistan recruits shine with the ball.

The Sixers were unusually sloppy with the ball against the strikers. But he returned with veteran fast bowler Jackson Bird to take three wickets in an opening burst of four overs.

Navid, a leg-spinner, was a surprise pick in the BBL draft but a brilliant miscue to clean bowl Ingles vindicated the Sixers’ faith in him.

He also picked up the crucial wicket of Hardy to change the momentum in an impressive start for the 19-year-old who took four wickets in two matches.

Naveen also spooked with his changes of pace, restricting Du Plessis to the Scorchers from the Sixers attack but ultimately it was not enough.

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