The defending BBL champions Perth Scorchers had a shocking end to their innings in match number 15 of the BBL 2023/24 tournament against the Melbourne Renegades as they lost 7 wickets for only 5 runs in the death overs.
Currently unbeaten in the tournament with 2 wins and 1 washout, Perth Scorchers hosted Melbourne Renegades, who are at the bottom of the points table with 3 losses, at the Perth Stadium on Tuesday.
Perth were at 157/3 at the 16.4 over mark and were in a solid position to get a big finish in the last three and a half overs. However, from this point, something bizarre happened as one batter after another got out – mostly to playing big shots and getting caught – and they were eventually bowled out for 162.
It was really a bizarre, unexpected, and shocking play of events as Perth collapsed from 157/3 to 162 all out in a space of 18 balls.
The slide started with the wicket of the well-set Aaron Hardie, the Perth skipper who was batting on 57 runs. Hardie looked to hit Adam Zampa straight down the ground but mistimed his shot and was caught at long-on by Will Sutherland. Two balls later, Nick Hobson got out to pacer Tom Rogers, caught at deep backward square leg by Jon Wells.
Video: Perth Scorchers lose their last 7 wickets for only 5 runs
Then came the 19th over by Sutherland that broke the back of Perth’s lower order as the over included three wickets. Powerful finisher Laurie Evans mishit his pull shot and was caught by Mackenzie Harvey at deep mid-wicket. Left-hander Ashton Agar, too, was caught at deep mid-wicket, once again by Mackenzie Harvey. On the last ball of the over, tailender Andrew Tye didn’t connect his cut shot well and was caught at cover by Joe Clarke.
The 20th over by Kane Richardson included the last two Perth Scorchers wickets. Jhye Richardson was caught by Nic Maddinson at mid-off before the last man, Jason Behrendorff, got run-out, concluding Perth’s innings. The commentators couldn’t believe this collapse from the defending champions, neither could the home crowd; Perth players wouldn’t be able to digest this collapse if they lose the game at their fortress.
Watch the fall of wickets here.
You have to see it to believe it!
The defending champions lose 7 wickets for 5 runs against the Renegades at home 😳 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/oY6p7XkMWl
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 26, 2023
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