BBL6 Semi Final 1 Recap - Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars @ The WACA
Perth Scorchers 3/139 (16.5 Overs) Defeated Melbourne Stars 8/136 (20 Overs)
Scorchers Advance to 5th Final with Emphatic Win
It was business as usual for the Scorchers as they advanced to an amazing 5th Grand Final by thumping the Stars in the first Semi Final at the WACA. The Scorchers made the unusual decision to bowl first having witnessed the Stars’ poor batting performances in their last two games after having been inserted to bat. That decision paid immediate dividends as the Stars lost both Robert Quiney and Luke Wright in a frenetic opening over from Mitchell Johnson. From there, the Stars staggered their way to a mediocre score of 8/136 which was never likely to be enough on a decent enough WACA wicket. Johnson finished with the incredible figures of 3/3 from his 4 overs. In reply Sam Whiteman got the chase off to a brisk start with 31 from 26 balls, before Shaun Marsh continued his form resurgence with a polished unbeaten 56 from 44 balls as Perth booked their ticket to another home final on Saturday against either the Sixers or Heat.
Johnson Stars In Scorchers Rout
Mitchell Johnson turned back the clock with a thrilling spell to start this Semi-Final which virtually condemned the Stars’ hopes from the get go. Johnson ripped out Robert Quiney and Luke Wright in the opening over, before removing danger man Kevin Pietersen in his 3rd over, as the crowd roared their satisfaction. He finished with the truly astounding figures of 3/3 as he rumbled through 4 straight overs, conceding less than a run per over. Johnson's first 17 balls were dot balls. He had a bit of a slow start to BBL6, however has got better and better with every game and peaked last night. Johnson has clearly responded to becoming the side’s clear strike opening bowler. Earlier in the season, Johnson was bizarrely being used mainly outside the bowling Power Play, however since returning to the opening over, has been the best fast bowler in the competition. Johnson is now the 5th leading wicket taker in BBL6, with 12 scalps at an average of 15. Just as importantly, Johnson has the 3rd best economy rate for all fast bowlers in the competition at 6.26. While it would be a bit harsh to describe Johnson as a confidence bowler alone, he will clearly have his tail right up on Saturday for the final, which will make Perth very hard to beat.
Stars Playoff Misery Continues
The Stars’ misery in the playoffs continues as their title duck stretches to six seasons after another sub-par display under pressure. The Stars have now lost five BBL semi-finals to go with their Grand Final loss in BBL5 to the Thunder last season, as the desperate endeavour for a maiden title goes on in vain. I think there is no doubt the Stars tighten up a bit come final times. Once you lose two or three semi-finals, the media start talking about it, the opposition start niggling you out, and that dreaded "chokers" tag can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It was inexplicable that their Top 3 batsmen in Robert Quiney, Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen could combine for just 6 runs between them as the Stars made the worst start possible. Their middle order, which had struggled throughout the BBL, actually did a good job with Seb Gotch's 48 giving them something to bowl at. However, the damage was done up front here and the Stars will look back on another season of what might have been.
Stars Need To Think About Their Roster
I think the Stars need to do some tinkering with their roster in the off season. You can't afford to have 4 or 5 of your best players missing in the finals. Darren Lehmann made the sensational claim that the Stars should do away with Kevin Pietersen, claiming he is on too much money and has not delivered the Stars results. I suggest that’s nothing more than Lehmann returning fire after Pietersen openly criticised Australian selectors repeatedly throughout the summer. Pietersen was again the side’s most productive batsman and draws people through the gates. I don't know what his influence is like in the dressing rooms. However, young players tend to speak very highly of him. You don't completely rip something up and rebuild just because you have not won a Title. The Stars have made the finals every season, making them statistically the 2nd most winning franchise behind the Scorchers’ BBL cricket. One of the main problems for the Stars is clearly the fact that they have their best players unavailable every finals series due to Australian ODI duties. You could have predicted at the start of the season that the likes of Maxwell, Faulkner and Zampa would be missing the latter half of the regular season and the playoffs. You might have been able to predict that Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis would have been called to the Australian ODI squad at various times, which further depleted the Stars ranks. With Captain David Hussey unsure whether he will play on at age 39, I think the Stars might make a bit of a reshuffle.
Lurker Hits Back
The Lurker has had a tough 2017, however it is all about the big knockout games now and he showed his quality last night by registering his 20th win of the BBL season. The Lurker is now 20-13 overall and will be looking to finish the season with a couple more victories, before earning a well-earned rest. Can the Lurker make it 2 from 2 in the Semi Finals tonight when the Sixers travel to Brisbane to take on the Heat?