PERTH: Perth Scorchers’ skipper Ashton Turner played a scintillating 87-run knock in the run chase to steer his side to thump Sydney Sixers and into the final of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL).
Set to chase 152, Turner led from the front after his side’s dismal start as he stitched an astounding partnership with opener Cameron Bancroft and led his team to triumph.
Earlier, the Scorchers were off to a shaky start as the home side were 22/3 in four overs with Stephen Eskinazi (4), Aaron Hardie (9) and Josh Inglish (0) failing to chip in.
Following the slump, Turner turned the game on its head with his belligerent hitting and put on an unbeaten partnership with Bancroft, who anchored the stand with a gritty half-century.
Turner top-scored for her side with 84 off just 47 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and a six.
Bancroft, on the other hand, was also impressive with his 45-ball 54 that featured six boundaries.
Sean Abbott remained the only successful bowler for the Sixers with his brilliant figures of 3/25 as the rest went wicketless.
After opting to bat first, the Sixers could raise 151/8 in their set of overs despite a brilliant half-century by skipper Moises Henriques.
Henriques top-scored for his side with 58 off 43 balls and smashed three fours and as many sixes and also put on an incredible fourth-wicket partnership with Jordan Silk, who fell three short of his half-century.
Silk scored 47 off 34 deliveries and smashed four boundaries including a six.
Besides the duo, no Sixers batter could make significant contributions with only two of them amassing double figures.
David Payne led the bowling attack for the Scorchers with 3/33 while Jason Behrendorff followed with 2/17. Aaron Hardie and Andrew Tye struck a wicket each.
