Scorchers, Sixers qualify for the inaugural KFC Big Bash final – Part 1
After more than a month of excitement and thrills in the KFC Big Bash League, Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers have booked their places in the finals of the tournament.
With crowds gathering pace to watch their teams play, it further provided plenty of enthusiasm for the organizers despite the tournament taking centre stage on a hit and trial basis. However, the Warne factor, along with the sizzling pace of the contests managed to attract audience with the first semi-final between the Scorchers and Melbourne Stars sold out in 30 minutes.
The victory itself was taken by the Perth franchise on their home ground of WACA, after an all round display from the team saw them triumph by 11 runs. As usual, the Scorchers elected to bat first and with the help of charismatic South African opener, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HH-Gibbs-c1549, managed to post a healthy 174 on the board.
The match began at a frantic pace with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PD-Collingwood-c2173 (31) before a slight resistive period for the away side saw Gibbs departing – appreciated for his spectacular hand of 71.
But the platform was being set to capitalize in the final overs and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mitchell-Marsh-c1974 did just that, thrashing 4 sixes to add an unbeaten 41 to the team’s total in rapid time, as the Scorchers posted an imposing total.
The Stars' run chase started on a disappointing note with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Bradley-Hogg-c59047’s impressive bowling – falling 11 runs short.
The strong middle order was dismantled easily with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Matthew-Wade-c1933, who made 37 off 17, meant that the Stars finished on 163 for 8 in their 20 overs.
Player of the Match was handed to Mitchell Marsh for his all-round performance as the Scorchers booked a home final against Sydney Sixers, who came up trumps against the Hobart Hurricanes in the second semi.
To be continued…..
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