The Perth Scorchers beat the Brisbane Heat by 49 runs to reach the Big Bash Final thanks to a brilliant batting display.
England’s Liam Livingstone smashed 77 off 39 balls including five fours and six sixes and put on a 114 run opening partnership with Cameron Bancroft who made an unbeaten 58. One of Livingstone’s sixes included hitting Marnus Labuschagne out of the stadium.
Right in the slot, and that is GOOONE #BBL10 #BBLFinals pic.twitter.com/pIdq15MOvR
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) February 4, 2021
Livingstone was eventually out after being caught by Labuschagne of the bowling from Mitch Swepson. The new man in Mitch Marsh wasted no time getting going himself, and he made 49 off 28 deliveries after Livingstone’s dismissal. Rain cut the Scorchers’ innings short by two overs and they posted 189-1 off 18 overs. That score was adjusted by Duck-worth Lewis to a massive 200 runs for the Heat to chase off 18 overs.
A lot of the Heat’s hopes rested on captain Chris Lynn to hit the runs. He started steadily with his fellow opener Joe Denly. However, they were both out in two balls. Denly couldn’t connect properly with a full toss and was caught out for 14 runs. Lynn was out the very next ball as Jason Behrendorff bowled out the Heat captain, demolishing his stumps and ending any real threat from the Heat.
After Lynn’s dismissal the Heat never looked like they had a chance. The run rate was constantly rising and they could not get a pertnership going. Marnus Labuschagne and Sam Heazlett were both out cheaply, and when the Heat match winner from their last two games Jimmy Pierson came into bat it was already too late.
The Scorchers fielded superbly as well and Cameron Bancroft took a spectacular catch to dismiss Xavier Bartlett. Joe Burns top scored for the Heat with a well made 38 but they Heat never threatened the target set by the Scorchers and they finished their innings on 150-9, meaning the Scorchers won by 49 runs.
There was some exceptional bowling from the Scorchers on show with Behrendorff taking 2-19, Andrew Tye 2-25, Fawad Ahmed 2-26 and Ryan Hardie 3-46
Liam Livingstone was awarded Man of the Match for his excellent innings which came at just the right time for his side. Livingstone had been struggling batting in the middle order, but was promoted to opener for this game and batted superbly.
Liam Livingstone wasn’t mucking around tonight 💥💪@KFCAustralia | #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/aeURrXMxI0
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) February 4, 2021
The Scorchers will go on to play the Sydney Sixers in Sunday’s final. The two teams finished in first and second place in the table and met in the Qualifier earlier in the week with the Sixers coming out on top. The game promises to be a close affair with both teams only separated by two points in the table and the Scorchers being full of confidence after today’s display
