Perth Scorchers 3 for 135 (Marsh 57) beat Hobart Hurricanes 6 for 134 (Short 36, Johnson 2-15, Bresnan 2-20) by seven wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Shaun Marsh hit a hat-trick of fours in the seventh over of the chase off Jake Reed © Cricket Australia/Getty Images
At this stage of T20 tournaments, the equation is rarely simple. That was the case here; having been invited to bat, Hobart Hurricanes needed to win by 30 runs to make the semi-finals, and by 35 to finish third. Perth Scorchers needed a win to make the semi-final, and if they chased their target down in 15.4 overs, they would host it at the WACA, where they are tough to beat. The Scorchers, however, made it look simple. With their bowling full of miserly mix-ups, they limited the Hurricanes to 134. Then with a calm, calculated chase led by Shaun Marsh, they chased that down in only 13.5 overs with seven wickets in hand.
This was the Scorchers’ tried and tested method, and it saw them leapfrog Brisbane heat and move to the top of the points table. If Sydney Sixers beat Melbourne Stars at the MCG, that is where they will stay.
Mitch is back
A major reason for the Hurricanes’ failure to post a substantial total was the performance of Mitchell Johnson. The fast bowler has tended to be held back by the Scorchers, but on Saturday he took the new ball, and he took it sensationally, mixing his pace and digging it in plenty. Adam Voges kept him on for three overs in the Powerplay, in which time he picked up the wickets of Tim Paine, caught behind off a brute of a short ball, and danger man Ben McDermott, hurried on the pull and picking out the fielder in the deep. The Scorchers were on the way.
Full Report to follow
Will Macpherson writes on cricket for the Guardian, ESPNcricinfo and All Out Cricket. @willis_macp
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo