Scorchers fight back for vital BBL win against Brisbane

AJ Tye's quickfire 4-14 off 3.5 overs has lifted the Scorchers to a 35-run BBL win over Brisbane. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Suffocating bowling from the Perth Scorchers has delivered them a brilliant Big Bash League win against the table-topping Brisbane Heat.

Held to a below-par 6-163 and with the Heat cruising at 1-67, the reigning champions looked destined to slump to a third loss in four games.

But pinpoint bowling from Lance Morris (3-26) and AJ Tye (4-14) turned the game on its head and fired the Scorchers to a comfortable 35-run win.

It avenges their loss to the Heat just three days ago and moves them into second on the table, keeping them in with a chance of a home final.

They face the third-placed Sydney Sixers on Tuesday night with the winner to seal second, and keep a chance of hosting the grand final should they win their opening playoff contest.

Sitting pretty at 1-67, the Heat lost 3-17 off 26 balls to allow the Scorchers back into the game.

Brisbane’s Nathan McSweeney (three) was caught behind off Tye before a stunning leg-side take from keeper Josh Inglis to dismiss Matthew Renshaw (one) heaped the pressure on at 3-82.

Two runs later, Jimmy Peirson (42) chipped Ashton Agar to point to cap the turnaround.

Max Bryant (29 off 17 balls) slogged some late runs but it was far too little for the Heat.

Tye cleaned up the tail with three wickets in the game’s last five balls to secure victory.

Aaron Hardie (1-22) and Jason Behrendorff (1-23) were also important in tightening the screw for Perth.

The Scorchers' Laurie Evans heaped praise on the bowlers’ fightback.

“(The bowling) just flipped the game our way ... we've always prided ourselves on having good power-surges whether with the bat or the ball,” he told Fox Cricket.

“It's a lot easier to hit the ball here, rather than bat properly ... I find hitting sixes a lot easier … today I tried to bat normally and I couldn't get going.

“We've got a great rivalry against the Sixers, the two best teams in the history of this competition over the years, so it'll be nice to welcome them over here.”

Alongside his side's bowling brilliance, Perth No.7 Nick Hobson played a key role in the win, crunching an unbeaten 48 off 30 balls to help his side post a respectable total.

Star duo Hardie (nine) and Inglis (five) failed as the Scorchers slumped to 4-49, but Cooper Connolly (35) and Evans (26) aided the recovery before Hobson's late rally.

Heat bowler Michael Neser took 2-21, along with an outrageous diving catch while chasing the ball over his head, to get rid of Connolly.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store