The BBL 2022/23 season came to a conclusion on Saturday at the Perth Stadium with Aston Turner leading the Perth Scorchers for their second consecutive title and 5th BBL title overall by defeating the Brisbane Heat by 5 wickets in one of the best-ever BBL finals, in front of their home crowd at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
In the chase of 176, skipper Ashton Turner brought out his best, and carried his brilliant form throughout the season, by scoring 53 runs off 32 balls.
However, after the dismissals of Josh Inglis and Ashton Turner, who got run-out, in the 17th over, it was the partnership of 41*(16) between the 19-year-old Cooper Connolly and Nick Hobson that brought Perth back in the game, and eventually took over the line.
Ashton Turner’s run-out in the 17th over had put Brisbane Heat as the favorites. However, with 38 required off 18 balls, young Connolly tore into Bazley, smoking the seamer for 6 2 4 0 0 6.
With 5 BBL titles, Perth Scorchers are the most successful team in the BBL history
With 10 needed from the last over, Hobson walloped the second ball of the over from veteran pacer Michael Neser, into the stands, before finishing things off with a boundary next ball. Connolly cracked 25*(11) and Hobson 18*(7) to take Perth Scorchers to their 5th BBL trophy, and second on a trot.
Skipper Ashton Turner was named the Player of the Match for his terrific counter-attacking half-century under pressure after Perth were reduced to 54/3 in the 8th over.
“It’s a surreal feeling. We have a lot of guys in form. There’s been a lot of guys who have contributed to the team. We have played an exciting brand of cricket,” Turner said.
BBL 2022/23: Here is the list of awards and prize money distributed:
The winners of the BBL 2022/23 Perth Scorchers received $500k AUD (INR 2.8 crore (approx))
Runners-up: Brisbane Heat – $250k AUD(INR 1.24 crore (approx))
Player of the final: Ashton Turner
Player of the Tournament: Matthew Short
Golden Bat (most runs) – Aaron Hardie (460 runs)
Golden Arm (most wickets) – Sean Abbott (29 wickets)
