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MELBOURNE: A scintillating century from Finn Allen propelled Perth Scorchers to a commanding victory over Melbourne Renegades, effectively ending the hosts’ campaign in the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 at Docklands Stadium on Thursday.
Already assured of a playoff berth, the Scorchers strengthened their push for a top-two finish with the emphatic win.
They will now face Melbourne Stars in their final league fixture, with both sides locked on 12 points and battling for the top spot.
Hobart Hurricanes, meanwhile, are guaranteed to finish second on 13 points after completing their league games.
Put in to bat, Perth made full use of the conditions as Allen and Mitchell Marsh launched the innings with a rapid 64-run opening stand.
Marsh departed for 20 off 15 deliveries, dismissed by Sam Elliott, but that did little to slow the Scorchers’ momentum.
Allen remained the driving force, combining fluency with brute power. He added 56 runs with Cooper Connolly and followed it up with a 44-run stand alongside Aaron Hardie, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace.
The New Zealand batter eventually fell in the 17th over, caught off Adam Zampa after a blistering 101 off 53 balls, laced with eight sixes and five fours.
Perth Scorchers posted an imposing 219-7 from their 20 overs, with Elliott the standout bowler for Melbourne Renegades, claiming four wickets. Zampa, Brendan Doggett and Will Sutherland chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Facing a daunting chase, the Renegades were immediately on the back foot as Josh Brown was dismissed for a duck in the opening over.
Jake Fraser-McGurk briefly injected hope with a counter-attacking 42 off just 18 balls, smashing five sixes before Luke Holt brought his cameo to an end.
With the asking rate climbing rapidly, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Tim Seifert anchored the innings from one end and later added a one-sided 60-run partnership with Sam Elliott, but the target proved well beyond reach.
Seifert eventually perished for 66 off 43 balls while attempting to accelerate, effectively sealing the Renegades’ fate.
The hosts finished on 169-7, falling 50 runs short and bowing out of the tournament.
For the Scorchers, Cooper Connolly and Mahli Beardman picked up two wickets each, while Holt and Hardie contributed with one apiece.
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