Finch 76 in vain as Scorchers seal hard-fought win

BBL 2022-23

Aaron Finch scored an unbeaten 35-ball 76 © Getty

Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades

Cameron Bancroft’s breezy 50-ball 95 not out turned out to be the cornerstone of Perth Scorchers’ hard-fought 10-run victory over Melbourne Renegades in a BBL game played at the Perth Stadium. Aaron Finch cracked a valiant 35-ball undefeated 76 but couldn’t take Renegades past the finishing line as they ended up with 202 for 5. Scorchers, who are perched at the top of the points table, will host the Sydney Sixers in the qualifier next week.

In pursuit of a massive chase, the Renegades began on the right note, scoring 58 in just over six overs. Martin Guptill’s contribution in that stand with Shaun Marsh was just 15 as he was dismissed by Andrew Tye. Marsh, who cracked seven boundaries, then fell to David Payne in the 11th over. When Matthew Critchley was dislodged by Ashton Turner, the Renegades were in a spot of bother at 96 for 4.

At that stage, Finch proceeded to play a volley of shots, especially taking a toll on Andrew Tye. In the 18th over, clubbing the seamer for three sixes and two boundaries. Aaron Hardie then gave away eight runs in the 19th over and also picked up the scalp of Will Sutherland to leave the Renegades with 29 to get in the final overs. Finch landed a boundary and a six of the last two balls but by then the Scorchers had virtually sealed the deal. Meanwhile, Ashton Turner took a couple of wickets.

Earlier, Stevie Eskinazi and Bancroft had strung together an alliance of 87 in just under 8 overs to provide the Scorchers with the near-perfect start. In the slog overs, Bancroft hit top gear, evidenced by the 52-run stand he shared with Cooper Connolly in just 20 balls. The opener essayed a string of shots while facing Tom Rogers, Jack Prestwidge and Sutherland.

Brief scores: Perth Scorchers 212/5 in 20 overs (Cameron Bancroft 95*; Matthew Cricthley 2-34) beat Melbourne Renegades 202/5 in 20 overs (Shaun Marsh 54; Ashton Turner 2-234) by 10 runs.

Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars

Sam Hain and Jimmy Peirson scored unbeaten fifties as Brisbane Heat held their nerve to down Melbourne Stars by a mere four runs. Stars mustered 184 for 3 in a chase of 189.

The fast bowler, Spencer Johnson, also played his role by giving away nine runs in the last over. The Stars needed 14 in the final over, but Johnson bowled low full tosses and full deliveries, alongside angling it across the right-handers to ensure Heat would come out on top. For Stars, Thomas Rogers composed a quick-fire 41 at the top of the order. On the other hand, Marcus Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright shared an undefeated 80-run stand for the fourth wicket but couldn’t provide the finishing touches.

With this victory, Heat are all but through to the playoffs while Stars sit at the bottom of the points table.

Brief scores: Brisbane Heat 188/4 in 20 overs (Sam Hain 73*, Jimmy Peirson 57*) beat Melbourne Stars 184/3 in 20 overs (Thomas Rogers 41; Mitchell Swepson 2-23) by four runs

© Cricbuzz

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