Now the round robin portion of the Big Bash has come to a close, we look ahead to the blockbuster Semi-Final contest between the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers.
When these teams met earlier in the tournament it was the stars who travelled to Perth and came out over the home team despite being arguably the best team at defending a total, the chance to defend a total. This challenge for the Scorchers was made a little harder when their first four wickets fell for only 13 runs. Shaun Marsh, Michael Klinger, Ian Bell, Cameron Bancroft and Hilton Cartwright all failed to surpass 10 runs. Andrew Tye brought them to a defendable total by putting 42 runs on the board and set the Stars 134 runs to win.
It was a steady start for the Stars where they battled along with the run-rate, keeping the hope of the Scorchers faithful alive. Flops from Peter Handscomb and Luke Wright didn’t cause too much of a mess when Kevin Pieterson and Marcu Stoinis came together for a match-winning partnership to take the Stars to victory.
The player who claimed man of the match honours was Michael Berr for his figures of 2/12, taking the scalps of Ian Bell and Cameron Bancroft who both fell for ducks.
Match info:
PRS vs MLS, 1st Semi-Final, Big Bash League, 2016-17
Pitch Report /Â Weather Report
Sunny, 86° F/ 24° CÂ
Perth Scorchers have gone past the semi-final round three times in the past as compared to Melbourne Stars once.
Melbourne Stars have won their last three matches against Perth Scorchers, two of which were played at this ground.
Perth Scorchers will have the advantage of playing at their home ground but they have lost their last two matches here.