PERTH: Nick Hobson’s swashbuckling cameo, followed by a combined bowling effort, led home side Perth Scorchers to a resounding 33-run victory over Brisbane Heat in the 12th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024 here at the Perth Stadium on Thursday.
Put into bat first, the hosts registered a formidable of 165/6 on the board, thanks to Hobson’s blitz at the backend.
The left-handed batter, coming out to bat at number six, with the scoreboard reading 103/4 in 15.4 overs turned the game on its head with belligerent hitting.
Hobson smashed two fours and five sixes on his way to an unbeaten 47 from just 16 deliveries and top-scored for the Scorchers.
Besides him, top-order batter Cooper Connolly made significant contribution with a run-a-ball 37, comprised of two fours and a six.
Spencer Johnson was the standout bowler for the Heat, picking up four wickets for just 20 runs in his four overs, while Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan McSweeney chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Chasing a daunting 166-run target, the Heat’s batting unit faltered against a disciplined Scorchers’ bowling attack and could score 132 before getting bowled out on the fourth delivery of the final over.
Middle-order batters Matt Renshaw (36) and Max Bryant (35) offered some fightback with blistering cameos, while the rest of the Heat’s batters failed to amass double figures.
Jason Behrendorff, Matthew Kelly and Andrew Tye claimed two wickets each for the Scorchers, while Ashton Agar and Lance Morris shared two between them.
The 33-run victory helped Perth Scorchers to pip Brisbane Heat and acquire third position in the BBL 2024 with four points in four matches.