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SYDNEY: Ashton Turner’s gutsy 99* followed by an all-round bowling performance, powered Perth Scorchers to a big 71-run victory over Sydney Thunder in the 16th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.
Set a daunting 203, Sydney Thunder were skittled for a mere 131 in 17.3 overs.
Skipper David Warner, who promoted himself to open the innings alongside Matthew Gilkes, provided a rapid start in pursuit of the chase.
The pair put on a 60-run partnership before a middle-order collapse left them reeling. Warner departed after scoring 21, while Matthew Gilkes followed him soon after for 33.
As a result, Thunder were reduced to 61-2 in 7.3 overs as Cameron Bancroft and Sam Konstas tried to put chase back on the track with a brief 20-run stand.
Yet again, it was a two-wicket over from Cooper Connolly that put Thunder in dire straits. Bancroft (2) and Sam Billings (0) were removed in consecutive deliveries.
The upcoming wickets also fell in a heap, with Shadab Khan not adding much to the scorecard.
Shadab Khan made four before getting caught.
As a result, Thunder slumped from 81-3 to 104-6 in 13 overs and then all out for a modest total.
For Perth Scorchers, it was an all-round performance with Joel Paris, Brody Couch, Aaron Hardie, and Cooper Connolly each scalping two wickets.
Earlier, after being put into bat, Perth Scorchers racked up a massive total of 202-8 at the end of their 20 overs.
Mitchell Marsh’s poor run continued as he went for six, followed by Finn Allen’s wicket, who made 11, which put Scorchers in early trouble with 18-2 in 3.2 overs.
Josh Inglis also fell after scoring 13 as the scorecard read 34-3 in 5.3 overs.
However, it was a 76-run partnership between Ashton Turner and Cooper Connolly that lifted them out of trouble.
Turner particularly played a lone hand and contributed down the order to propel his side to a massive score at the end of their innings.
Connolly made 27 while Turner returned unbeaten on 99 from 41 balls, with the aid of eight sixes and the same number of fours.
For Sydney Thunder, Daniel Sams picked up a four-wicket haul while giving away 51 in his quota of four overs.
