PERTH: Perth Scorchers beat Brisbane Heat by six runs in a nail-biting contest of the Big Bash League at the Perth Stadium on Wednesday.
Jason Behrendorff, bowled the final over of the match, defending 17 runs successfully to help his side defeat Heat by six runs in a thriller.
Chasing 154, Heat were off to a poor start. The opening pair could only provide a 12-runs foundation, losing two wickets for just 16 runs. The opener, Chris Lynn, however, tried to retaliate but was too slow for his 27, facing 33 balls.
As the side were losing wickets at an alarming rate, Sam Heazlett and Xavier Bartlett showed fighting spirit, but, could not get their side to the victory. Heazlett smashed 34 runs off mere 17 balls laced with two boundaries and three sixes, while Bartlett scored unbeaten 34 off 25 balls including five boundaries.
The top and lower order failure halted the Heat from pulling off the victory, and the side were eventually, bowled out for 151.
For Scorchers, Matthew kelly starred, taking four wickets, while Andrew Tye claimed two wickets. Ashton Agar, Behrendorff and Peter Hatzoglou each struck out a batter.
Batting first, the Scorchers fumbled a little as the side lost their opener, Colin Munro (3) at a combine score of seven.
However, Cameron Bancroft, along with Kurtis Patterson batted sensibly to keep their side out of expected danger. The pair added valuable 68 runs into the team total, helped their side to post a decent total of 157/6 in 20 overs. Bancroft scored 25 off 21 balls including four boundaries, while Patterson top-scored with 55 off 30 balls laced with six boundaries and two sixes.
Later, the captain, Ashton Turner along with Laurie Evans played handy innings to help their side finish strongly.
For Heat, Cameron Gannon picked two wickets. Whereas, James Bazley, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Liam Guthrie and Bartlett shared one wicket apiece.
Following this victory, Scorchers has moved up to the third position, while Heat remained at seventh position.
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