PERTH: Cooper Connolly backed his economical bowling figures of 1/18 with an anchoring half-century to lead Perth Scorchers to a resounding six-wicket victory over Melbourne Stars in the opening match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024 here at the Perth Stadium on Sunday.
Opting to bat first, the Stars only managed 146/9 in the allotted 20 overs despite Tom Curran’s blistering 37-run cameo at the backend.
The visitors got off to a shaky start to their innings as Jhye Richardson dismantled their top order with two quick wickets.
The Stars then lost three more wickets in quick succession and eventually slipped to 77/5 inside 13 overs.
Skipper Marcus Stoinis offered some fightback in the middle but had an unfortunate end to his gutsy knock as he got run out after scoring 37 off 33 deliveries.
Coming out to bat at number seven, Curran launched a counterattack on the Scorchers’ bowlers with belligerent hitting.
The right-handed batter smashed three fours and as many sixes on his way to a 19-ball 37, helping the Stars to breach the 140-run barrier.
Jhye Richardson was the standout bowler for the Scorchers, taking three wickets, followed by Lance Morris with two.
For his brilliant bowling figures, Richardson was adjudged the player of the match.
Chasing a modest 147-run target, the home side comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just four wickets and 17 balls to spare, thanks to Connolly’s half-century.
The left-handed batter top-scored for the Scorchers with a defiant 64 off 51 balls, studded with four fours and three sixes.
Besides him, Ashton Turner also played a key role in recovering their start from a dismal start. He scored an unbeaten 37 off 27 deliveries, while Nick Hobson contributed with a 14-ball 27 not out.
For the Stars, Brody Couch, Curran, Peter Siddle and Adam Milne made one scalp apiece.
The four-wicket victory put Perth Scorchers to the top of the BBL 2024 standings with two points, while Melbourne Stars sank to the bottom.
