VICTORIA: In the previously postponed 27th match of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL), Perth Scorchers handed a crushing defeat to the struggling Melbourne Stars, here on Tuesday.

The table-toppers Scorchers edged past the Stars by a 47-runs victory, thanks to their batter Laurie Evans’ magnificent 69.

At the toss, the Scorchers’ captain – Ashton Turner elected to bat first after the bat flipped in his favour. His openers, however, failed to provide a solid start to the side; managing just a 22-runs opening partnership as Kurtis Patterson fell short to Pakistan’s speedster – Haris Rauf.

Evans and Nick Hobson then partnered strongly and provided a solid 83-runs partnership for the second wicket. The pair put their side in command before Hobson walked back to the pavilion after scoring 46 off 36 balls, including six boundaries. Evans, on the other hand, stood firm and went on to smash a brilliant half-century. He scored 69 off 46 balls, laced with two boundaries and five sixes.

The skipper Turner also chipped in down the order; scoring a quickfire 47 off 26 balls; smashing three boundaries and as many sixes. His brilliance, in the end, helped the Scorchers to post a massive total of 196/3 in the allotted 20 overs.

For the Stars, Rauf bagged two wickets, while Adam Zampa managed to make one scalp.

Set to chase 197, the Stars had even a worse start to their innings; losing their opener Nick Larkin for a combined score of one. Beau Webster and Joe Burns then anchored the innings for the Stars; adding 58-runs to the team’s total for the second wicket. Burns, however, fell short after scoring 20. He faced 17 balls and smashed two sixes.

The Stars then began to lose wickets at a consistent rate and the top-scorer for the side – Webster also departed after scoring a fighting 63 off 47 balls, laced with seven boundaries and two sixes. Following his departure, the Stars’ batting tail did little to no contribution; resulting in the side, restricted for 149/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

For the Scorchers, Matthew Kelly starred; picking four wickets, while Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou, Andrew Tye, and Ashton Agar shared one wicket apiece.

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