LIVE BBL: Perth in early strife despite Aussie ace’s heroics in fight to host final

The Perth Scorchers are chasing 131 for victory and the right to host a qualifying final on Tuesday for finishing top of the BBL table.

Off the back of Jhye Richardson’s 4-16 off 3.2 overs, the Melbourne Stars had no answers with the bat at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

But in reply, the Scorchers are in early strife with Mitch Marsh (12 off 8), Cooper Connolly (2 off 2) and Josh Inglis (1 off 9) already back in the sheds inside the first five overs.

The only place to stream every match of the 2025/26 KFC BBL LIVE is on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

MATCH CENTRE: Scorchers vs Stars teams, scorecard, stats, videos

Earlier, it was Connolly who snared two wickets in two balls in the opening over, and Melbourne’s start only got worse when their leading run scorer Sam Harper (6 from 6) departed moments later.

At 3-15, it was “disaster” for the visitors as the Scorchers were in complete control.

But skipper Marcus Stoinis and Campbell Kellaway led the fightback, with Stoinis’ 95m six off Luke Holt bringing up the pair’s 50-run partnership.

Just as the Stars looked to be steadying, Kellaway threw his wicket away as he feathered Aaron Hardie through to Josh Inglis.

At the mid-innings drinks break, the Stars were 4-67.

Surprisingly Glenn Maxwell remained in the sheds as West Aussie Hilton Cartwright was promoted to join Stoinis in the middle.

“Just wondering if they are thinking Maxwell for the surge,” former England skipper Michael Vaughan questioned.

“Bit of an old school thinker – there’s 60 balls remaining, I want Glenn Maxwell out there.

“I just don’t know why you’d want to keep him in the dugout – there’s only 60 balls remaining.

“You’d want him to face as many as possible from here on in.”

Despite being 3-15, the Stars reached 4-100 before disaster struck once more - and then the visitors collapsed in a heap.

Stoinis (55 off 39) could only throw his head back when he sent one down Jhye Richardson’s throat, as his wicket sparked Perth’s quick haul of 5-17.

That included series best figures for Perth of 3-8 in the power surge where Glenn Maxwell (3 off 8) came and went in a hurry.

Richardson finishing his power surge over with a double wicket maiden.

The Stars were rolled for 130 inside 19 overs as Richardson claimed 4-16.

FOLLOW THE ACTION IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW. CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE.

ALL ON THE LINE

Ashton Turner and the Perth Scorchers host Marcus Stoinis and the Melbourne Stars in a battle for first place at Optus Stadium.

The second placed Scorchers can jump the Hurricanes with a win and top the table, while the third placed Stars can jump Perth and Hobart into first with a victory.

The Scorchers will have Australian Test stars Jhye Richardson and Josh Inglis on deck, while Joe Clarke comes in for Sam Hain for the Stars.

Mitch Marsh and Finn Allen coming off a century will lead the charge with the bat for the Scorchers, while Richardson and Cooper Connolly will be danger men with ball in hand.

For the Stars, Sam Harper and Glenn Maxwell will be ones to watch with bat in hand, while Peter Siddle and Mitchell Swepson have been amongst the wickets.

It sets the scene for a winner takes all clash as both sides hunt a second chance in the finals.

SQUADS

Perth Scorchers: Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Laurie Evans, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Luke Holt, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, David Payne, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner (c)

Click here to read article