Scorchers bury Strikers in Adelaide

Updated January 11, 2013 07:54:07

Shaun Marsh and his Perth Scorchers went on a record run spree to crush the Adelaide Strikers by 98 runs on Thursday night and earn a Big Bash League home semi-final.

Marsh smacked 79 from 60 balls to become the tournament's top run-scorer as Perth amassed 4 for 189 a record high score in this summer's Twenty20 series.

The Strikers then crashed to 91 all out in 18.3 overs in a woeful run chase to end their season in front of a sell-out 17,000-strong crowd at Adelaide Oval.

The win enabled Perth to snatch second spot from the Melbourne Stars and book a home semi-final next Wednesday night, while Adelaide's net run rate took such a hit that no result between Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday night will squeeze the Strikers into the semi-finals.

Marsh smashed eight fours and two sixes to top the run-scoring list with 328 ahead of Melbourne Renegades skipper Aaron Finch (309 runs), whose team will host a semi-final next Tuesday night.

Marsh and Herschelle Gibbs (54 from 34 balls) built a perfect platform for the Scorchers with a 95-run opening stand from 12.1 overs.

In the process, they took down Adelaide's Test spinner Nathan Lyon, whose only over cost 17 runs and included three consecutive fours to Marsh.

The in-form left-hander was dismissed in the penultimate over as Adam Voges (35 from 18 balls) continued the plundering of Adelaide's bowlers.

The Strikers' run chase was cruelled by early wickets, 2 for 5 after eight balls with Michael Klinger (0) and Travis Head (4) out.

Tim Ludeman (11), Nathan Reardon (0) and Callum Ferguson (13) soon followed and Adelaide was a hopeless 5 for 39 in the ninth over, requiring a run rate approaching 13 runs an over to win.

Scorchers paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile dismissed four batsmen yet curiously finished with 3 for 12.

Coulter-Nile had Kane Richardson, yet to score, out hit wicket but Perth skipper Simon Katich, in unexplained generosity, called the batsman back to the crease.

Richardson finished with 20, the highest score for the Strikers.

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted January 10, 2013 22:40:43

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Scorchers storm home in the wet

Updated December 19, 2012 00:09:55

A six-ball batting onslaught has given Perth Scorchers a nine-wicket win over the Brisbane Heat in a rain-affected Big Bash game at the Gabba on Tuesday night.

The Heat had scored 4 for 109 off 13.1 overs, before storms and heavy rain forced the teams off the field.

Brisbane had been reduced to 3 for 19 in the fourth over, before an 84-run partnership between Dan Christian (37 not out off 31 balls) and Chris Lynn (51 of 29) helped the home side get back into the match.

After an extended delay, the Scorchers were faced with a target of 51 to win off 5 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system.

It was a poor start for Perth, with only five runs coming off the first over from Kemar Roach - the West Indies import playing his first game for the Heat since arriving in Australia.

Gibbs was dropped by Nathan Hauritz off Ben Cutting in the second over, and Perth took advantage of the let-off, taking 11 runs off the over.

Gibbs (9) tried to up the rate against James Hopes, but he skied a slower ball to deep mid-wicket where he was caught by Peter Forrest, out with Perth 1 for 17.

The visitors still needed 28 off 10 balls before Nathan Coulter-Nile rescued the situation.

He smashed Christian for a four, six and another four, before launching the Heat all-rounder into the top deck of the Gabba to complete the penultimate over.

Suddenly Perth needed just eight runs off the last over from Thisara Perera.

Cutting stopped a boundary with a flying dive on the opening ball of the over, but Shaun Marsh then hit another straight six to give the Scorchers the win with four balls left.

Coulter-Nile finished 23 not out off six balls, while Marsh was 19 not out off 11 deliveries.

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, brisbane-4000, qld, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted December 18, 2012 23:21:11

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Scorchers off the mark in Sydney

Updated December 16, 2012 23:25:00

The Sydney Sixers' golden Twenty20 run came to an abrupt end on Sunday as the Perth Scorchers began their road to recovery by cruising to victory in the Big Bash League grand final rematch at the SCG.

In a game where anything can happen, the Sixers' 12-match winning streak was something to behold.

But Sunday's seven-wicket loss proved even the world's best can have a shocker in the T20 form, as the Sixers suffered a devastating early collapse before turning in a sloppy effort in the field defending their modest total of 9 for 113.

Led by a 51-run opening stand by Herschelle Gibbs (40 from 42) and Shaun Marsh, the Scorchers chased down the total with four balls remaining to record their first win of the season and get themselves off the bottom of the ladder.

Things got a little tight for the Scorchers towards the end, until captain Simon Katich came to the crease with his side needing 12 from 12 and smashed a six off the first ball he faced.

Since the Sixers beat Perth in last summer's BBL grand final, the Sydney-siders went from strength to strength to be crowned Champions League kings in October.

The Scorchers on the other hand made headlines for all the wrong reasons in the tournament held in South Africa - failing to get out of the group stage and finding themselves embroiled in off-field controversy after an alcohol-fuelled night out.

Perth promised to make things right in the BBL and Sunday's breakthrough win after back-to-back losses to open the tournament proved the West Australians cared about restoring pride.

It is Justin Langer's first win as coach since taking over as Warriors and Scorchers mentor in mid-November.

Just four nights ago the Scorchers were skittled for a BBL-low 69 in an emphatic, albeit controversial loss to the Melbourne Stars in Perth.

But this time it was their turn to decimate an opposition, as they left the Sixers reeling for 5 for 18 and 6 for 28, before allowing the tail to score 42 runs from the final five overs.

The Scorchers' triumph after winning the toss meant the chasing team has now won nine out of nine times this BBL season.

Alfonso Thomas, Michael Beer and Hilton Cartwright took two wickets each for the Scorchers, with Brad Haddin (10) the only batsman out of Sydney's top six to reach double figures.

Beer said it was do-or-die for the Scorchers.

"If we didn't win we were out of the competition pretty much, so we had to be right up for it," he said.

"We let ourselves down the other night so we had to do it.

"Confidence probably wasn't there but we made a commitment to each other that we were going to go out and have fun and back ourselves and not be scared.

"(The Sixers) are world champions so it's a feather in our cap to beat them."

Sixers all-rounder Stephen O'Keefe, who top-scored for his team with 29 and also snared a wicket, said it was Sydney's worst ever performance.

O'Keefe said his side still believed they could defend the total, but dropping Gibbs twice in successive balls at 1 for 74 ended any chance of a miracle.

"We scrapped out 113 which I thought was going to be competitive, but we just didn't turn up," he said.

"It was probably in my short stint here at the Sixers, our worst overall performance as a side. We definitely didn't deserve to win that match."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted December 16, 2012 22:13:54

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Scorchers fall to Titans

Updated October 14, 2012 09:29:23

South Africa's Titans posted a comfortable 39-run victory over Perth Scorchers in their opening Champions League Twenty20 match at Centurion.

The Titans reached 4 for 163 from their 20 overs with opener Jacques Rudolph impressing with a 59-ball 83, an innings that included three sixes and nine fours.

Fellow opener Henry Davids was also prominent on the scoreboard with 54, the pair having put on a 109-stand for the first wicket.

Nathan Rimmington was the most productive of the Scorchers' bowlers with figures of 2 for 20.

The Scorchers made little impact during their run chase, making 7 for 124.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh played an almost lone hand with 52 from 41 deliveries.

Cornelius de Villiers proved a thorn in the side of the Scorchers' batting line-up, taking 3 for 16.

Tags: cricket, sport, south-africa

First posted October 14, 2012 09:29:23

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Scorchers secure Cummins, Marsh

Updated July 12, 2012 20:30:36

Australian paceman Pat Cummins has turned his back on the Sydney Sixers and signed with Perth Scorchers in this summer's Twenty20 Big Bash League.

Cummins, 19, and 20-year-old WA all-rounder Mitchell Marsh are the latest players to sign with the Scorchers.

Cummins says the chance to bowl regularly on the fast and bouncy WACA pitch was a big influencing factor in his decision to link up with the Perth franchise.

"Obviously I've heard a lot about the famous WACA decks," he said.

"Playing on there is going to be a big thrill for me and that was a big reason.

"Watching here last year, the crowds were packed out and obviously [I've] got a couple of good mates here playing as well.

"It's a great opportunity."

Marsh hit the headlines last week when he was sent home from Cricket Australia's centre of excellence in Brisbane after a boozy night out saw him unfit to train.

But the young star says there will be no more off-field indiscretions, and he regrets his actions in Brisbane.

"I made a mistake in Brisbane ... I guess I have had to take the penalties on the chin," he said.

"Obviously I was very sorry to the Scorchers and the WACA for my actions but it's a lesson very well learnt.

"Hopefully I know I won't make it again."

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted July 12, 2012 20:30:36

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Scorchers to host final after downing Stars

Updated January 22, 2012 00:46:15

A fine all-round display from Mitch Marsh led Perth Scorchers to the Big Bash League final after an 11-run victory over the Melbourne Stars at the WACA ground.

Marsh hit 41 off 22 balls to give the host team to 3 for 174 and then took 2 for 17 and two catches as the Stars failed to chase it down.

But the Stars were in good shape after cruising to 2 for 88 after 10 overs before Perth Scorchers paceman Ben Edmondson bowled the over of his life

In a double-wicket maiden, Edmondson snared the key scalps of Luke Wright (33 off 25) and David Hussey (golden duck) in consecutive balls, dramatically swinging the match Perth's way.

Edmondson (2 for 32 off four overs) failed to snare the hat-trick, but the damage was already done as the Stars limped to 8 for 163 in reply to the Scorchers' 3 for 174.

"That over really did change the game and changed the momentum of the game," Marsh said of Edmondson's double-wicket maiden.

"It's a credit to him. He's been great for us all tournament."

Although it was Edmondson's over that changed the match, former Test spinner Brad Hogg was also influential, taking 2 for 17 off his four overs to the delight of the 15,225 fans on hand.

Perth's triumph secures them a home Big Bash final at the WACA Ground next Saturday, where it will meet the winner of Sunday's clash between Hobart and Sydney Sixers.

But perhaps more importantly, the Scorchers' semi-final win earned them automatic qualifications into this year's lucrative Champions League.

The Stars were made to pay for some elementary errors in the field as Scorchers opener Herschelle Gibbs (71 off 46 balls), Paul Collingwood (31 off 25) and Marcus North (23) helped set up the challenging total.

Gibbs was on 19 when fieldsman Luke Wright, with an age of time to prepare, dropped a skied chance on the boundary.

North was dropped on 3, although James Faulkner could hardly be blamed for putting down the tough return catch low to the ground.

And Collingwood received a massive reprieve on 2 when he charged and missed a Shane Warne delivery, only for wicketkeeper Matthew Wade to fumble what should have been the easiest of stumpings.

Warne (0 for 29 off four overs) was the best of Melbourne's bowlers and did his best to rein in the Scorchers after their hot start.

Faulkner (38 off 27) top-scored in the Stars' innings and Wade (37 off 17) unleashed some brutal strokes at the end, but the visitors failed to recover after Edmondson's 11th over heroics.

Stars skipper Cameron White rued his side's inability to execute their skills in key moments of the game.

"I think across the course of the game there were little moments that we didn't get right, and that's why we finished 11 runs short," White said.

"Like me they (my team-mates) will be thinking about things across the course of the game they didn't get right and disappointment about not winning.

"But you can't sit around and cry about it, you just move on."

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted January 21, 2012 23:57:50

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Scorchers take top spot despite loss

Updated January 19, 2012 16:20:27

The Perth Scorchers secured top spot in the Big Bash League despite a dramatic one-run loss in Wednesday night's clash with the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.

The Sixers seemed to have the victory comfortably in their hands when the Scorchers needed seven off the last two balls.

But Brett Lee (0 for 35 off four overs) dramatically bowled a no-ball and a wide to leave the Scorchers just five short of their victory target of 177 still with two balls remaining.

In the end though the Sixers held their nerve and ran out Scorchers captain Marcus North for 59 as he tried to score a run to level the scores off the final delivery in a stunning finish in front of a healthy crowd of 20,400.

Despite the defeat the Scorchers had already reached the 168 needed to take top spot on the ladder and secure a home semi-final.

The Sixers' win was tempered by a horror night for embattled Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who made a second ball duck and dropped North when the Scorchers skipper was on 29.

The Sixers have finished third and will play the Hurricanes in a semi-final in Hobart on Saturday.

North's 69-run fourth-wicket stand with fellow veteran Simon Katich (31 off 26 balls) came at a crucial time for the Scorchers after Test quick Mitchell Starc (3 for 29 off four) had ripped through their top-order.

The 21-year-old left-armer, who is hoping to retain his starting position for next week's fourth Test in Adelaide, dismissed international team-mate Shaun Marsh (18), Marsh's little brother Mitchell (0) and then former England international Paul Collingwood (2) in five balls to leave the Scorchers 3 for 34.

The Sixers' innings was highlighted by a 25-ball 51 from Steve Smith, while young gun Nic Maddinson chipped in with 49 before falling to evergreen spinner Brad Hogg (2 for 22 off four).

Smith's eventful knock, which featured three sixes, came to an end at the hands of impressive paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile who continued his solid tournament by claiming 3 for 38 off four overs.

North said securing the home final had been a priority for the Scorchers but he had still wanted to extend his team's winning streak to six matches.

"My message throughout the innings was to win the game and by doing that we should meet those targets," he said.

"It's been a fantastic game of cricket. Obviously we were on the losing end of it but credit to both teams for putting in a really good show in this T20 competition."

The Scorchers will play either the Stars, Brisbane Heat or Strikers in Perth on Saturday with a place in the lucrative Champions League going to the victor - a carrot which North said made it almost the most important game of the domestic summer.

"There's no doubt that's a final in itself, the big one to get to India," he said.

Man of the match Starc said it was nice to continue his good run of form after the Perth Test and ensure the Sixers would play against the Hurricanes in Hobart on Sunday.

"It's just good to get the win for the Sixers and gain momentum before the finals. We said at the start of the competition that we wanted to entertain and I think we've done that tonight," Starc said.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted January 18, 2012 22:55:35

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Scorchers embarrass Thunder

Updated January 11, 2012 23:20:42

Sydney Thunder's Big Bash season is all but over following a crushing nine-wicket loss to Perth at the Olympic stadium that was triggered by the controversial dismissals of openers Chris Gayle and Usman Khawaja.

The Thunder, who now have just two wins from six matches and are only a mathematical finals chance, never recovered from the questionable decisions, which reduced them to 2 for 34 on their way to a dismal 99 all out.

The Scorchers never looked in danger of reaching the target, which they polished off with more than five overs to spare thanks to a 103-run partnership between Mitch Marsh (64) and Marcus North (38).

The victory moves the Scorchers to the top of the ladder on 10 points, and all but secures them a home final.

Evergreen Perth spinner Brad Hogg (2 for 8) continued to wind back the clock, while paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile finished with the exceptional figures of 3 for 9, but it was his first two wickets which created the game's major talking point.

Khawaja (8) was unimpressed when given out caught behind by umpire Mick Martell but was given no respite from third umpire Michael Kumutat, who has the option of overturning incorrect decisions.

Instead, it was Gayle who had a decision overruled after he had charged to 20 and survived a loud appeal.

Kumutat, without the use of traditional review methods Hotspot and Snicko, found enough in the replays to remove a clearly bemused Gayle.

The Thunder never recovered, and it was only a 33-run partnership between Tim Armstrong (25) and Scott Coyte (12), which gave their bowlers a tinge of hope.

A furious Thunder captain Dan Smith slammed the decision to remove Gayle, who was adamant that he did not hit the ball.

"I'm taking my player's word over any replay or what [the third umpire] thinks he saw," Smith said.

"I don't know how you can be 100 per cent sure a bloke hit it. That's the hard thing to take especially when it's such a big scalp.

"There's always going to be mistakes in cricket - we made plenty of them - but I don't know if this referral system works or doesn't work."

Gayle says he had not touched the ball and was clearly stunned when it was overturned.

"I didn't feel anything on the bat," he said.

"If I'd touched it I would've said I'd touched it. But that's part of the game.

"There's nothing I could've done about it, but once you're given out you've got to leave."

Gayle revealed he thought he had heard a noise in Khawaja's dismissal, though Coulter-Nile says he did not even appeal for the wicket because of a lack of noise.

"I couldn't hear a thing out there, so I was just going by deviation," he said.

"I saw a bit with Chris' but I didn't see anything in Uzi's."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted January 11, 2012 21:35:13

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Scorchers beat Stars in thriller

Updated January 05, 2012 12:41:37

Melbourne Stars all but crashed out of semi-final contention in the Big Bash League (BBL) following an eight-run defeat to Perth Scorchers at the MCG.

The Scorchers claimed second spot on the table after making 136 from their 20 overs, before restricting the Stars to 5 for 128.

Matthew Wade hit an unbeaten 53 for the Stars, while Herschelle Gibbs with 69 was the top scorer for the Scorchers.

The Scorchers lost 8 for 28 as they collapsed for 136 all out after winning the toss.

In reply the Stars lost the early wickets of skipper Cameron White (1), in the new role of opener, plus George Bailey (1) and David Hussey (4).

White, who captains Australia's Twenty20 side, has made seven runs in four hits in the BBL.

The Stars also lost Rob Quiney for 39 in the 10th over.

Luke Wright (16) fell in the 19th over after adding 62 for the fifth wicket with Wade.

The man everyone came to see, Stars leg spinner Warne, proved he was still the great entertainer by claiming the key wickets of Scorchers duo Gibbs and Mitchell Marsh (31).

The 42-year-old Warne removed the pair after telling TV viewers only seconds beforehand what type of delivery he would bowl and watching the plan work perfectly as both were caught attempting big off-drives.

In a match last month at the Gabba against Brisbane Heat, Warne was wearing a microphone and told viewers how he was going to slide a quicker ball around the legs of Brendon McCullum and as predicted he bowled the New Zealander with his next delivery.

James Faulkner took the bowling honours for the Stars on Wednesday night with 3 for 17 as the Scorchers imploded, losing five wickets including three run outs in their last over.

But the visitors were equal to the task in defending what captain Marcus North admits was a modest total.

"It's pretty nerve-wracking out there," North said.

Stars coach Greg Shipperd says his troops will simply try to win their last three matches and hope results of other fixtures aid their cause.

He described Wednesday's loss as a crushing defeat after a fine effort from the home side's bowlers.

"That [target of 137] on a very good cricket wicket should have been easy meat for our batters," Shipperd said.

"It was a poor batting effort and one that certainly the boys won't be proud of and nor will the coaching staff."

But Shipperd says a hernia injury to Adam Voges, who had been set to bat at number three but hurt himself while fielding, was a major blow for the Stars.

AAP

Tags: sport, twenty20, cricket, melbourne-3000, perth-6000

First posted January 04, 2012 22:22:13

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Heat fall to Scorchers

Updated December 30, 2011 08:37:20

Brisbane captain Peter Forrest unleashed the fireworks but it was all in vain as the Heat slumped to a 10-run Twenty20 Big Bash loss to Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground on Thursday night.

Set 163 for victory, the Heat left their run too late to finish at 6 for 152, despite the best efforts of Forrest (59 off 42 balls) and opener Matthew Hayden (33 off 26).

Brisbane's third loss on the trot left them two games outside of the top four and in grave danger of missing the finals.

Perth surged into the top four following its second straight win, and will look to strengthen its finals credentials when it takes on Shane Warne's Melbourne Stars at the MCG next Wednesday.

"I suppose we were in a good position with only two wickets down after 10 overs, but we just left it too late," Forrest said.

"At the moment we're not playing anywhere near our best and we're only just losing.

"I'm sure once we start playing to our potential we'll win easy. We definitely haven't written ourselves off in this competition."

Herschelle Gibbs praised the tight bowling performance from the Scorchers' attack.

"I think we were 20 runs short but the lads did well enough with the ball to restrict them," Gibbs said.

Former Test spinner Brad Hogg snared the key scalp of Hayden to finish with figures of 1 for 26 off four overs, while paceman Ben Edmondson returned 2 for 33 in front of a sell-out crowd of 15,454.

Forrest struck three fours and four sixes in his impressive knock, helping revive the Heat's victory chances after the visitors meandered to 2 for 64 after 10 overs.

But the contest swung well and truly Perth's way when Forrest was bowled by Edmondson in the 17th over, leaving the Heat requiring 41 off the final 20 deliveries.

The equation came down to 22 off the last over, but specialist death paceman Nathan Rimmington was able to keep Chris Hartley and Michael Neser at bay.

Earlier, Marcus North (40 off 29) and Gibbs (38 off 22) combined for a blistering 80-run opening stand to guide the Perth Scorchers to a competitive 8 for 162.

Mitch Marsh chipped in with 33 off 21, but was left nursing a sore groin after being struck in the worst possible area by a 140km/h Michael Neser full toss.

Test paceman Ryan Harris returned figures of 1 for 35 off four overs, while Test hopeful Dan Christian snared 2 for 27 off four.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz was the most economical with 1 for 16 off three.

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted December 30, 2011 00:11:14

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Scorchers keep faith in Big Bash stars

Updated December 20, 2011 17:52:15

Despite the Perth Scorchers' first-up flop, skipper Marcus North is backing his high-profile batting line-up to bounce back to form in Thursday night's T20 Big Bash showdown against the Melbourne Renegades at Docklands.

South African Herschelle Gibbs (2), England's Paul Collingwood (4), former Test opener Simon Katich (8) and veteran Mike Hussey (0) all failed to fire in the Scorchers' lacklustre 31-run loss to Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday.

Perth has made two changes to its squad for the clash with the Renegades, replacing Hussey (national duties) and Tom Beaton with batsman Craig Simmons and left-arm paceman Josh Lalor.

And the Scorchers are holding out faint hope that Shaun Marsh, who is still trying to prove his fitness in time for the Boxing Day Test, will be made available against the Renegades should he miss Test selection.

"Shaun will have a couple of days batting at the camp in Melbourne and hopefully he can impress the Australian coaching staff and selectors that he is right to go on Boxing Day," Scorchers coach Lachlan Stevens said.

"But if they would like him to have a run somewhere prior to that we would certainly love to have him playing for the Scorchers."

North was confident the team's woeful batting display against Hobart - in which the Scorchers slumped to 4 for 28 before being bowled out for 109 - would prove to be nothing more than an aberration.

"There's not too many times you're going to have Gibbs, Collingwood, Katich and Hussey all missing out," North said.

"I thought the balance was pretty good.

"We had a mixture of the guys that are going to take the game away and guys that can control a game.

"It was a poor performance. But whether that means we had the wrong order - I don't think so."

The Renegades will also be looking to bounce back with a win after their dismal 67-run loss to the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday.

Perth squad:

Marcus North (capt), Michael Beer, Paul Collingwood, Ben Edmondson, Herschelle Gibbs, Brad Hogg, Simon Katich, Josh Lalor, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Rimmington, Luke Ronchi, Craig Simmons. (12th man).

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 20, 2011 17:46:16

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Hurricanes blow away Scorchers

Updated December 19, 2011 08:27:49

The Hobart Hurricanes pulled off an improbable 31-run victory as the Scorchers self-destructed in their Big Bash League opener at the WACA ground in Perth on Sunday.

Dismissed for just 140 on a slow WACA wicket, the Hurricanes silenced a parochial Perth crowd to bowl out the Scorchers for 109 off 19.5 overs in reply.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Hurricanes well placed at 3 for 101 before collapsing to lose their next seven wickets for just 39 runs in the face of relentless pressure in the field.

English import Paul Collingwood reeled off run-outs to remove his countryman Owais Shah and the big-hitting Rhett Lockyear, as Hobart's middle-order failed to fire with the exception of Travis Birt's 40 off 30 balls.

Perth quick Ben Edmondson chimed in with the figures of 4 for 40 as the Scorchers looked well on top at the change off innings.

However, the Hurricanes began their fightback early when Ben Hilfenhaus had the dangerous Herschelle Gibbs caught behind for 2 in the second over.

Man-of-the-match Hilfenhaus finished with the impressive figures of 2 for 10 off four overs and Xavier Doherty was equally economical in his maximum spell of 1 for 15.

"I guess we identified we needed to start very well and taking early wickets was the key," Hilfenhaus said.

"Tonight I was lucky enough to get a couple of early ones and put some pressure on them."

Deputising for injured captain Tim Paine, Doherty's precise field placements and accurate off-spin slowly suffocated the life out of Perth's lacklustre batsmen.

Gibbs, Simon Katich (8), Mike Hussey (0) and Collingwood (4) all failed as Perth's experienced batting line-up fell cheaply, leaving Mitchell Marsh to carry the load with a-run-a-ball 35.

Some lusty late-innings hitting from Nathan Rimmington gave the Scorchers a glimmer of hope, but it was snuffed out when he was caught by Birt in the deep off the bowling of Doherty after blasting 22 off 14 balls.

Hobart's cult hero Rana Naved cleaned up the tail, finishing with 2 for 27 and effecting the run out of Ben Laughlin to end the innings.

"I thought the way be bowled was excellent, the way we fielded was good," North said.

"I thought 140 was below-par so at half-time we were in a good position. But in this format if you get reduced to 4-20, the game gets on top of you and there's too much work to do."

AAP

Tags: sport, twenty20, cricket, perth-6000, wa, australia, hobart-7000, tas

First posted December 19, 2011 00:38:40

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Gibbs ready to fire for Scorchers

Updated December 12, 2011 23:47:00

South African Herschelle Gibbs has overcome a hand injury and says he is ready to fire for the Perth Scorchers in the Twenty20 Big Bash League starting this week, even if it is not under coach Mickey Arthur.

Gibbs originally signed for the Scorchers to play under Arthur, who coached him in the South African national team, but with the mentor taking the job with Australia that will no longer be happening.

However, Gibbs is not concerned with that or his hand and the livewire top-order batsman and dynamic fielder is just looking forward to getting his first hit-out for the Scorchers at the WACA ground on Sunday against the Hobart Hurricanes.

"It is good to go," Gibbs said of his hand.

"I didn't want to take any chances back home knowing that I was going to come here.

"It has always been a fantastic place to play (in Australia). I've got good memories even though it has been a hard 15 years that I have been coming here.

"The WACA wicket is quite a good one too so I am looking forward to it for sure."

The 37-year-old Gibbs, who played 90 Tests and 248 one-day internationals for South Africa and has since become a Twenty20 specialist in the Indian Premier League with the Deccan Chargers, admits not knowing many of his new team-mates that well.

"Apart from Colly (Paul Collingwood), Mitch Marsh, who I played with at the Deccan Chargers and Kat (Simon Katich) who I played for years against Australia, it's a pretty youthful team and I am looking forward to it," he said.

"You do have the pressures that come with the job.

"Yes, you want to live up to your reputation and I have played a few county seasons too so it's no different playing here.

"As far as the expectation of the Aussie public, it is always a high one and hopefully I live up to that."

As for Arthur, Gibbs is not surprised to see him get the job as Australian coach and is sure he will do a good job even if it means the reason he signed up with the Scorchers is gone.

"His CV is quite a good one and I'm sure he will do very well with the national team, but it's just the way things happen," Gibbs said.

"I am here and I am going to make the most of it.

"It was him more or less that led me to signing here.

"I did have two months off because I don't play any first-class cricket back home, and having played under Mickey for quite a good few years I spoke to him and took up the challenge.

"I am still looking forward to that."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted December 12, 2011 23:47:00

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Hogg signs on with Scorchers

Updated November 04, 2011 19:24:34

Former Test and one-day spinner Brad Hogg is confident age will not be a barrier when he steps out for the Perth Scorchers in this summer's Twenty20 Big Bash League.

Hogg, who notched seven Tests, 123 one-dayers and two Twenty20s for Australia, has been plying his trade for West Australian club side Willeton since retiring from international and state cricket in 2008.

The 40-year-old said his hunger to play in a nation-wide competition was as strong as ever, revealing he even offered to make a Sheffield Shield return for WA after being asked to sign on for the Scorchers.

"I got asked a couple of months ago to play for the Scorchers. I had a couple of offers and I just thought I'd take my time and make sure I was fit and ready," Hogg said on Friday.

"I played a bit of grade cricket last year and things went well, so I feel like I'm 21 again.

"I honestly wouldn't sign if I felt like I couldn't perform at this level.

"Basically when I spoke to (coach) Mickey (Arthur), I was even toying with the idea of possibly playing Shield cricket again. But obviously they were going down the youth path and Michael Beer is doing a fantastic job."

WACA chief executive Graeme Wood said Test paceman Mitchell Johnson was also a chance to sign on for the Scorchers, albeit for just the one game.

And troubled batsman Luke Pomersbach, who is one of 16 players contracted to the Scorchers, could make his playing return via the Twenty20 competition despite his recent battles with depression.

The Perth Scorchers begin their T20 Big Bash League campaign against the Hobart Hurricanes at the WACA on December 18.

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted November 04, 2011 19:24:34

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Davis joins BBL's Scorchers

Updated November 09, 2011 08:43:52

The Perth Scorchers have added in-form opener Liam Davis to their Twenty20 Big Bash squad, rewarding the diminutive right-hander for his scintillating start to the domestic cricket season.

Davis was named October's ACA Player of the Month after posting Sheffield Shield scores of 135, 89 and 93.

The 27-year-old, who has been part of WA's set-up for seven years, becomes the 17th player to sign on for the Scorchers, with WACA chief executive Graeme Wood hopeful Test paceman Mitchell Johnson will be the 18th and final player.

Scorchers coach Mickey Arthur said Davis had thoroughly earned his spot.

"When we finalised our preliminary list in July I stated that one or two spots would be made available for players that impress in the early part of the domestic season and Liam fits into that category," he said.

"Liam is a dynamic player who is capable of getting us off to great starts at the top of the order, and his several seasons with the Warriors means that he brings experience at interstate level to the group, which will be valuable."

Davis said the T20 competition suited his aggressive style of play.

"It gives me the opportunity to bring out some shots at the top of the order," he said.

The Scorchers are confident of snaring the prized signature of Johnson, even though the left-arm quick will probably only be available for the December 18 season opener against Tasmania at the WACA Ground.

"He's a real drawcard for us at the WACA," Wood said.

"Ideally he'd be the one to fill that last position."

AAP

Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted November 07, 2011 19:55:58

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Khawaja burns Scorchers in BBL

Posted July 8, 2011 21:43:00

The Perth Scorchers jumped the gun on Friday, holding a media conference to announce the signing of exciting new national team batsman Usman Khawaja for the coming Big Bash League (BBL).

The WACA believed it had reached an agreement with Khawaja's management on Wednesday that the 24-year-old left-hander would line up for the Scorchers in the revamped Twenty20 tournament.

However, his management communicated to the WACA later in the day that Khawaja was still considering his options and likely to join another BBL team closer to his Sydney home.

WACA cricket manager Andrew Scotford said there was a "miscommunication" with Usman before his departure to Zimbabwe to join the Australia A tour.

"We were very confident that we had secured his services and could make an announcement to that end today," he said.

"We are obviously disappointed to lose a player of Usman's calibre at the 11th hour, but the BBL contracting window has shown that as doors close, others open, and we look forward to making more exciting announcements in the coming days."

- AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, australia, wa, perth-6000

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Gibbs to play for Scorchers

Updated July 1, 2011 18:07:00

Perth Scorchers' South African coach Mickey Arthur has signed countryman Herschelle Gibbs as one of the team's two internationals for this summer's revamped Twenty20 competition.

The Perth team's announcement on Friday came a day after the Scorchers lost a bidding war for West Indies master blaster Chris Gayle, who opted against returning to Perth.

Gibbs, 37, is the seventh-leading scorer in T20 history with 2673 runs at an average of 26.20 and a strike-rate of 125.

The opener's tally of 113 matches at domestic and international level makes him the sixth-most experienced player in the game.

The South African demonstrated his hitting power with six sixes in one over in the 2007 one-day World Cup and one of his best innings was an 111-ball 175 against Australia in 2006 in Johannesburg in a one-dayer.

"I have known Herschelle for many years and have seen him destroy some of the best attacks in world cricket," former South African national coach Arthur said.

"I am looking forward to seeing him take to the Big Bash League in a similar manner and I'm sure the Perth Scorchers' fans will really warm to him."

The Scorchers' four other signings on Friday were Western Australian and Australian veteran Mike Hussey, young all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Tom Beaton.

Hussey, 36, was a member of the Chennai Super Kings who won this year's Indian Premier League T20 title.

Perth announced on Thursday it had poached New South Wales Shield captain Simon Katich, a native West Australian, for the new competition.

The eight new city-based sides have salary caps of $1 million per team. Gayle knocked back a $250,000 offer from Perth.

Hurricanes' coach Ali de Winter said on Friday national back-up wicketkeeper Tim Paine and Test spinner Xavier Doherty had signed with the new Hobart team, alongside crowd favourite and Pakistan import Rana Naveed.

The SCG-based Sydney Sixers signed New South Wales state players Steve Smith and Moises Henriques, while Cameron Borgas and Daniel Harris will play for Adelaide Strikers.

Rounding out 14 signings announced on Friday, Chris Lynn and Nick Buchanan will play for Brisbane Heat.

The main contracting window closes on July 22, with teams needing to sign a minimum of 14 players and a maximum of 18, including up to two from overseas, in that time.

- AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, wa

First posted July 1, 2011 18:00:00

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