Reigning Big Bash champions Hobart have made a red-hot start against the Perth Scorchers in a Boxing Day blockbuster while missing veteran Matt Wade.
The former Hurricanes skipper was injured in his side’s win over the Melbourne Renegades last Sunday and did not travel to Perth as a result.
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Sent in to bat, it was Perth’s Mitch Marsh who looked like he’d finally found some form after a lean BBL run to open this series.
Two boundaries in the opening over and then an 83m six off Riley Meredith had Perth fans hopeful – but Meredith had the last laugh when Marsh (16 off 13) mistimed his pull shot and spooned it to Tim David.
In-form star Cooper Connolly came and went in just a few balls, but down the other end it was Finn Allen clearing the fence repeatedly – including in back-to-back balls off Rehan Ahmed.
But just as Connolly did earlier, Allen (43 off 23) pushed his luck and paid the price with Chris Jordan’s safe hands on the boundary.
Tim David replicated Jordan’s efforts with his own tippy toes on the rope to send Scorchers skipper Ashton Turner back to the dugout.
The Scorchers’ innings ground to a near halt in the 11th and 12th overs as Laurie Evans and Nick Hobson tried to regroup with their side 5-91 with six overs to play.
Evans’ decision to opt for the power surge turned the match back in Perth’s favour.
Together with Hobson, the duo put on a boundary clinic – taking 30 off just 10 balls in an entertaining run that included seven fours.
Friday’s match started at 9.10pm AEDT from Perth Stadium.
Follow the match live in the blog below. If you can’t see the blog, click here
SQUADS
Perth Scorchers: Ashton Turner (c), Ashton Agar, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Laurie Evans, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Bryce Jackson, Mitchell Marsh, Joel Paris, Corey Rocchiccioli
In: Corey Rocchiccioli. Out: Jhye Richardson (Australian Test Squad)
Hobart Hurricanes: Nathan Ellis (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jackson Bird, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Rishad Hossain, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Will Prestwidge, Billy Stanlake, Tim Ward, Mac Wright
In: Mac Wright. Out: Matthew Wade (injured)
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