Turner's timely half-century gets Scorchers home

Hobart Hurricanes were edged out by Perch Scorchers at the WACA as Ashton Turner inspired in the closing stages to reclaim top spot in BBL.

Published : Jan 20, 2018 20:41 IST

Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner celebrate a boundary for the Scorchers
Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner celebrate a boundary for the Scorchers
lightbox-info

Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner celebrate a boundary for the Scorchers

Reigning Big Bash League champions Perch Scorchers all but secured a home semi-final with a five-wicket win over Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday.

Ashton Turner smashed an unbeaten 50 to get Perth over the line at the WACA and put them top with a game to play, which comes against second-placed Adelaide Strikers next week.

After a club-record five-match winning run, the Hurricanes have lost two in a row, although they will have the chance to wrap up a top-four spot when they go to rock-bottom Melbourne Stars next weekend.

Simon Milenko's 37-ball 66 helped Hobart to 167-5 from their allocation and a moment of inspiration from Jofra Archer looked to have troubled the Scorchers in their chase, but Turner's late power-hitting turned the tide and secured victory.

 

MILENKO MAKES HAY

The Hurricanes' innings was a topsy-turvy affair, with Matthew Wade hitting five consecutive boundaries off Joel Paris - aided by Tim Bresnan's drop - in the second over.

Paris exacted revenge on Wade, who picked out short fine-leg on 31, and tournament top-scorer D'Arcy Short departed for just 11, with momentum slowing further when Ashton Agar removed Ben McDermott and Dan Christian in the 11th over.

However, captain George Bailey (37) and Milenko struck up a fine 70-run partnership to wrestle back control of the contest - the latter hitting five sixes on his way to a maiden T20 half-century.

 

CHIPPING AWAY

The Scorchers looked to replicate their opponents' aggression with the bat from the off, but Short's superb catch saw Sam Whiteman (1) depart in the first over.

Instead, Perth resorted to chipping away at the Hurricanes' total - even after Archer had bowled Michael Klinger (17) via his helmet with a nasty bouncer.

Cameron Bancroft made 54 before nicking off Tymal Mills, the Englishman back on form after a string of wayward recent displays, but Archer's supreme run-out of Adam Voges (11) - a direct hit from near the midwicket boundary - left Perth needing another 41 runs from 27 balls with only Turner remaining as a recognised batsman...

 

 

TURNER TURNS IT ON

Ably assisted by Agar, Turner delivered some trademark fireworks to get the job done for the Scorchers.

Still needing 15 from eight deliveries, a four and a huge six on the leg side gave the final over a more routine feeling and it was fitting that Turner would hit the winning runs, ramping Archer over fine-leg to bring up his fifty with a match-winning stroke.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment