BBL 2025-26, Match 23 Review: Paris, Turner shine in Scorchers' convincing triumph over Strikers

Perth Scorchers emerged victorious against Adelaide Strikers by 33 runs in the 23rd match of the ongoing Big Bash League at Perth Stadium.

Asked to bat first, Scorchers made a robust start as their openers Mitchell Marsh and Sam Fanning added 72 for the first wicket. Marsh was relatively sedate, scoring 37 off 33, while Fanning complemented him well with a 24-ball 31.

However, once spin was introduced, the Scorchers struggled to find the path. Tabraiz Shamsi delivered a double blow in the 10th over, getting Marsh caught near long on and outfoxing Cooper Connolly with a googly as he top-edged one towards backward point.

Lloyd Pope had a double-wicket over of his own, cleaning up Aaron Hardie before having Joel Curtis bottom edge one to the wicketkeeper in the 13th over as Scorchers went from 72/0 to 87/5. In between, Shamsi saw the back of Ashton Turner as well.

Despite the collapse, some late contributions ensured the Scorchers crossed the 150-run mark, as Ashton Agar added 16, while Joel Paris gave the finishing touches with an unbeaten 20 off 14 balls.

Out to chase, Strikers started positively despite the early loss of Chris Lynn, who fell in the first over after mistiming Connolly to mid-off. Matthew Short kept scoring from his end, hitting three fours and a six in his 31 off 21. However, Ashton Turner had Short caught at long off and knocked over Jason Sangha in a space of two deliveries in the sixth over to derail the opposition.

Ashton Agar then pegged Mackenzie Harvey in the next over to thwart the momentum completely as Adelaide’s middle order lost four wickets for no runs. Liam Scott waged a lone battle with a 33 off 28, but once Aaron Hardie dismissed him, all the hopes for a late revival were lost.

Scorchers’ bowlers kept their opponents in their grip, with Joel Paris picking three wickets for 22 runs, while Turner and Hardie claiming two each, as Adelaide were undone for 120 in 18.1 overs, giving a comprehensive win to the Scorchers.

The Scorchers are seated at the second spot with four wins in six games, while the Strikers are at the sixth position with only two wins in five games.