3 minute read
A brilliant knock of 93 from Mitch Marsh has helped Perth Scorchers to a 34-run win over Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium.
From the moment Mitch Marsh teed off in the best knock of his Big Bash League career, Perth Scorchers were in the box seat and they cruised to a 34-run win over Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium.
The Scorchers are emerging as a team that could be tough to beat come finals time having improved to a 4-4 record, but the Saturday night performance was all about their captain.
He won the bat flip and and after Perth openers Josh Inglis (28 in 14) and Liam Livingstone (39 in 31) gave the home team a solid start, Marsh took full advantage.
By the end of the 20 overs, he had amassed his highest Twenty20 score of 93 in 41 deliveries which included eight sixes.
The allrounder finished the innings with three straight sixes from the last three balls off Ben Laughlin.
That gave Laughlin the unfortunate figures of 1-60 and took the Scorchers to 3-213. Not only was it Marsh's best ever score, but the best ever for the Scorchers in the BBL.
Test paceman James Pattinson wasn't spared either on return to the Heat finishing with figures of 0-52 off four overs.
Cameron Bancroft also remained not out 41 from 29 balls but for Marsh, he was just delighted to lead his team from the front with the bat.
"Obviously I'm pretty happy with that but as captain even after that, I knew it was only job half done," Marsh said.
"I had to worry about trying to defend that total knowing how damaging they can be at the top of the order.
"Especially at this ground, it's so hard to defend and you don't have to miss your spots by much for it be a slot ball.
"It's a great ground to be in on at the end and that was my goal today to make sure I was in for the last five overs. I was rapt it came off but we still had to finish off the job."
If anyone could pull off a chase of 214, it would have been the Chris Lynn-led Heat but it wasn't to be.
Tom Banton gave them a brief glimmer when he compiled 55 in 32 balls before he makes room in the squad for South African legend AB de Villiers.
Joe Burns chipped in with 37 and Ben Cutting made 20, but they never looked likely to get close, finishing their innings on 8-179 with Lynn making only 14.
Jhye Richardson, Joel Paris and Chris Jordan all took two wickets each for the Scorchers.
Legspinner Fawad Ahmed took 1-35 after going for 19 from his first over. He also took a memorable catch from a high ball off Banton. He called everyone away, then crashed into the stumps but just clung onto the crucial catch.
