Perth Scorchers locked horns with Melbourne Renegades in the 52nd match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 on Sunday at the Perth Stadium in Perth. Renegades skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, the decision did not prove right as Scorchers put up a monumental total of 212 runs in the first innings.
However, in the 2nd innings, Finch thrashed fast bowler Andrew Tye in an over during the BBL match which has created history. Australia’s limited over captain Finch hit a hat-trick of sixes in the match. He hit a total of 31 runs in the entire over, making it the most expensive over in the history of BBL. However, this was not enough to help the team win the match.
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Aaron Finch’s magnificent effort went in vain
Scorchers came out to bat with openers Cameron Bancroft and Stevie Eskinazi, who started aggressively and blitzed at the top as the duo tore into a weakened Renegades attack. Eskinazi departed in the 8th over after scoring 54 runs off just 29 deliveries which included 6 fours and 3 sixes.
Later, a bunch of wickets fell in the middle overs just when the surge was being contemplated by the Scorchers. However, Bancroft and Cooper Connolly then kicked on again to ensure Perth crossed the 200-mark. Bancroft deserved a 100 but ran out of balls at the end, he scored 95 runs off just 50 balls smashing 5 fours and 6 maximums. Matthew Critchley took 2 wickets and conceded only 34 runs in his 4 overs.
Chasing the target of 213 runs, Renegades opener Shaun Marsh started well but he fell at the wrong time, and then the team struggled. Finch especially in the first half of his innings struggled for any sort of fluency as he mistimed shots. The asking rate got out of hand and that’s when he found his timing. 31 came off Tye’s over and suddenly 37 were needed off 2 overs but the Scorchers held their nerve to close it out. In the end, Finch’s 76 off 35 may seem to be a sensational inning but it was far from it as they fell 10 runs short of the target. Scorchers’ skipper Ashton Turner picked up 2 wickets while conceding only 25 runs in the 3 overs he bowled.
