Home
analysis

Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers’ bowlers send competition reminder of their potency in Adelaide

Headshot of Aaron Kirby
Aaron KirbyThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Perth’s bowlers were outstanding in Adelaide.
Camera IconPerth’s bowlers were outstanding in Adelaide. Credit: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Batting line-ups win games; bowling attacks win titles.

It’s the rule Perth Scorchers have played by almost exclusively in their glittering history, and it could be the attitude that leads them to glory for the sixth time in BBL14.

Their fast bowling attack is the envy of the competition, boasting crafty veterans, swing kings and scary speedsters.

And when it all clicks like it did, for the most part, in Adelaide on New Year’s Eve, leaving the Strikers shell-shocked at 8-58, there is no scarier sight in the competition.

Jhye Richardson didn’t start with his best over having been riding the pine with the Test squad.

But after going for 11 in the game’s opening over, he corrected instantly, becoming almost unplayable as he claimed 3-18, including two wickets in as many balls, from his next 18 deliveries.

The Game Cricket 2024-25

Jason Behrendorff used his trademark swing up front, but it was his crafty slower balls that did the damage, removing the destructive Chris Lynn for one and Matt Short’s replacement Jake Weatherald for eight.

Lance Morris blasted away at nearly 150km/h - which helps make his teammates’ slower variations even more effective by pushing batters back - with Lynn practically calling him scary while on the player mic for Channel 7.

Jhye Richardson of the Scorchers celebrates the wicket of Liam Scott.
Camera IconJhye Richardson of the Scorchers celebrates the wicket of Liam Scott. Credit: Mark Brake/Getty Images

It was only Andrew Tye who struggled on New Year’s Eve, but he’s only the franchise’s all-time leading wicket-taker.

He did remove Adelaide’s top scorer, D’Arcy Short, with extra bounce before losing his plans to end up going for 1-46.

Despite Tye’s donation, Adelaide still only managed 8-142, needing a record ninth-wicket partnership from their unlikely heroes Brendan Doggett and Cameron Boyce to do it.

The bonus of Perth’s bowlers reigning supreme in Adelaide was the pressure on struggling import Finn Allen being released.

The powerful 25-year-old Kiwi opener finally had the chance to take an over or two to assess conditions before blasting a 22-ball half-century while still not at his best.

Lance Morris of the Scorchers   bowls.
Camera IconLance Morris of the Scorchers bowls. Credit: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Having fallen to close defeats in their first two road games of BBL14, Perth were keen to bottle their Boxing Day momentum won at Optus Stadium and fly it across the Nullarbor.

And as they almost always have, Perth’s brilliant cache of fast bowlers made it happen.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails