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The Perth Scorchers have confirmed their status as the BBL’s undisputed greatest franchise after sealing their record-extending sixth title with a crushing six-wicket win over arch rivals Sydney Sixers in Perth.
In front of 55,018 fans – setting a new record for a Scorchers home game – English paceman David Payne (3-18) and Jhye Richardson (3-32) starred as the Sixers were skittled for 132 at a rocking Optus Stadium.
The Scorchers lift the BBL trophy.Credit: Getty Images
Perth reached the victory target with 15 balls to spare on the back of solid knocks from openers Mitch Marsh (44 off 43 balls) and Finn Allen (36 off 22 balls). Josh Inglis (29 off 26) hit the winning runs with a big six down the ground in the 18th over as the Scorchers finished at 4-133.
Sunday’s grand final marked the sixth time in 15 seasons the Scorchers and Sixers had met in the decider, with Perth now holding a 4-2 advantage in those matches. In total, the Scorches have six titles from nine grand final appearances, with the Sixers the next best franchise with three crowns from eight deciders.
“It gives you goosebumps,” Richardson told Fox Sports after the match. “55,000 of the best fans, I love the Perth Scorchers. We’ve been so lucky to be so successful. It’s been a great season. To top it off like that, it’s a good feeling.”
Sixers opener Steve Smith loomed as the danger man in Sunday’s heavyweight bout, but the Scorchers successfully used a review in the sixth over to send him packing LBW for 24 off 13 balls at the hands of Aaron Hardie (1-16 off three overs). Once Smith departed, Sydney struggled for any sort of fluency, with Josh Philippe (24 off 24), Moises Henriques (24 off 27) and Joel Davies (19 off 14) all failing to go on with the job.
Steve Smith did not have the same impact as in recent matches.Credit: Getty Images
The two-over Power Surge in the 15th and 16th overs yielded a horrendous return of 3-10 for the Sixers as Payne and Richardson wreaked havoc.
Payne thought he had his fourth wicket later in the innings when Cooper Connolly pulled off a stunning diving catch on the boundary – with the rising star managing to stop himself sliding into the rope. But replays showed Connolly had grounded the ball at the end of his slide, earning Jack Davies a reprieve on 13 despite him having walked off the field.
The boos were intense as Scorchers fans aired their grievances, but the jeers turned into a loud roar next over when Richardson bowled Davies for 19.
Marsh and Allen made light work of the run chase, piling on 80 runs in 8.1 overs to send the Scorchers on their way, with a stunning, one-handed catch from Jack Edwards the only real highlight for the visitors.
AAP
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