Perth Scorchers 147 for 3 (Hardie 90*, Inglis 53, Meredith 2-35) beat Hobart Hurricanes 146 for 9 (Andrews 27, Morris 2-21, Tye 2-30) by seven wickets
Up-and-coming all-rounder Aaron Hardy continued his breakout BBL season with a career-best batting average, leading the Perth Scorchers to a win over the Hobart Hurricanes at Optus Stadium.
The Scorchers chased his 147 and Hardy took control and he stuttered before teaming with Josh Inglis in a 127-run partnership to overwhelm the Hurricanes. Hardy did not finish 90 off 62 balls as the Scorchers won by 15 balls.
The Scorchers are battling rivals the Sydney Sixers for the top spot, leaving the Hurricanes stuck in the middle of the crowded ladder.
Hardy makes #3 his own
After being around the fringes of the Scorchers’ lineup the past few seasons, Hardy was advised to make a big impact and delivered well. He started the season with a half-century against the Sixers, batting at No. 6, but had to move up the order due to the departures of Faff du Plessis and Adam Lys.
And Hardy has scored his three-and-a-half century in five innings since his promotion. His belligerence and intimidating aura at the crease resemble injured teammate Mitchell Marsh, whom Hardy was able to effectively replace.
With the Scorchers struggling early against the Hurricanes, Hardy found an early lull before flattening the Hurricanes’ powerful attack in a series of perimeter lines around the wicket. Hardy was so dominant that he was overshadowed by the hard-hitting Inglis, who hit 53 balls from 35. Dooley’s injury spoils another impressive performance
Left-arm spinner Patrick Dooley has been a phenomenal presence this season as evidenced by the phenomenal he took just over six wickets and he took 16 wickets.
His prominence has even led Dooley, a lawyer by day, to be turned as a left-wing contender for Australia’s next test tour to India.His flashy bowling, his action and enthusiastic personality have made him has become a cult figure of his.
Dooley was in the middle of things early on after convincing skipper Matthew Wade to review Cameron Bancroft’s pending lbw decision. Though he seemed fancy at first, Dooley was vindicated when replays showed the ball hit the line. He appeared as Key, but was hampered by an apparent groin injury. Dooley moved forward and despite being clearly molested, he bowled four overs at the trot. He finished with an excellent 1-20 record in his four overs, but the Hurricanes will sweat his fitness as they battle to reach the finals.
“Wild Thing” Morris Unleashed
There was a lot of buzz surrounding Lance Morris, who was around the Australian test team and was selected for India’s upcoming tour.Possibly the fastest bowler in the country, the 24-year-old Morris can reach speeds in excess of 150 km/h. It’s called the ‘Wild Thing’ after former Australian speedster Sean Tate. However, he has struggled in T20 cricket over the years and has consistently featured in the Scorchers’ strong attack since returning from Test squad duties against South Africa. Recalled and looking for a spot before the final, Morris delivered arguably the best performance of his short BBL career.
With Jimi Hendrix’s famous “Wild Thing” song echoing on the floor, Morris lived up to his reputation with fiery outbursts during powerplays, contrasting with slow decks in stadiums earlier in the season Typically, on a fast surface, Morris slammed into tough opener Caleb Jewell and greeted Wade with a brutal short delivery.
Something had to give way between the two burns and Morris won with a change of pace and rocked Wade. Morris nearly claimed his first three-wicket move in the T20s when another opposing guard nearly ran Zach Crowley into the back square. He finished 21 for 2 from his 4 overs.
The Hurricane’s explosive fire orders struggled to fire in warm conditions. Perth-bred Tim David threatened and thrashed spinner Ashton Agher, marking his huge six before hitting hard down the mid-wicket deep straight. Going 96 to 7, the Hurricanes were in big trouble, with Tom Andrews and Nathan Ellis forming a 44-run partnership for an unexpected late rally.
Top flight He’s in cricket he’s got a century experience Andrews clearly isn’t batting but in his last two games of the season he’s BBL he’s only thrown one pitch. He stepped in during a 25-run power surge as the Hurricanes gained momentum in the second half. Andrews unexpectedly made him the Hurricanes’ highest scoring with 27, but Ellis’s 24 batting average was his best T20 result in his 50th inning.