STR VS SCO MATCH 17

That wraps up yet another thrilling match in this edition of the Big Bash League, with the Perth Scorchers outclassing the Adelaide Strikers to extend their winning streak while handing the Strikers their third consecutive loss. Looking ahead, the action resumes with Hobart Hurricanes taking on the red-hot Sydney Sixers in Match 18, followed by Brisbane Heat locking horns with the Melbourne Stars in Match 19 to kick off the year 2025. Both games are scheduled for 1st January 2025, with the first game set to start at 10.30 am IST (5 am GMT). As always, you can join us well in advance for all the buildup. Until then, wishing all our readers a very Happy New Year! See you soon, and goodbye for now!

Cooper Connolly is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his entertaining knock. He says that the Strikers fought back well but they were still pretty happy at the halfway mark. Mentions that it was nice to be clinical with the bat as a unit. Appreciates Finn Allen for the way he batted and adds that he showed what he has to offer. Shares that he is happy to contribute to the team's cause. Further says that it was a lovely wicket to bat and the ball came on nicely under lights. Tells that it will be nice to return home for a couple of games.

Earlier in the game, the first innings was a tale of two contrasting halves. The Perth Scorchers completely dominated the opening half, with their pacers wreaking havoc. Wickets fell like dominoes, and the game looked firmly in Scorchers' grasp as they reduced the Adelaide Strikers to a dire 58/8 by the 10.2 over mark. However, cricket is a game of surprises, and the Strikers staged a remarkable fightback. Brendan Doggett (47) and Cameron Boyce (29) put on a jaw-dropping unbeaten 84-run partnership for the 9th wicket, rewriting the script and propelling their team to an improbable 142/8. For the Scorchers, Jhye Richardson stood out with a superb spell, claiming 3 crucial wickets.

Finn Allen brought up a well-deserved half-century, anchoring the chase beautifully before being dismissed shortly after by Brendan Doggett. This wicket briefly sparked hope for the Strikers to mount a comeback. However, with the target firmly in sight, Cooper Connolly and Ashton Turner combined forces and ensured there were no further hiccups, calmly chasing down the remaining runs to seal the victory with ease.

After losing momentum in the second half of the first innings and chasing a target of 143 runs, the Perth Scorchers were rocked early, struggling at 5/2 as the Adelaide Strikers came steaming in with the crowd firmly behind them. However, Cooper Connolly and Finn Allen, after weathering the early storm, adopted a counter-attacking approach. Their crucial 84-run partnership for the third wicket set the platform perfectly and brought the chase back on track.

The Perth Scorchers secure a comfortable 7-wicket win to cruise to the second spot on the points table while handing the Adelaide Strikers another disappointing result, making it three losses on the trot. The Strikers' New Year's Eve woes continue, as their winless streak on this occasion extends further to six straight defeats since 2019.

FOUR! Ashton Turner finishes things off in style! Floated up again, full and on off and middle, Ashton Turner plants his front foot ahead and goes for the slog sweep again. Does not quite get hold of it and ends up hitting it a lot straighter. There is no one in the deep patrolling the long on fence. The ball bounces in front of the ropes for a boundary. Perth Scorchers win by 7 wickets with 5.3 overs to spare!

SIX! Two in two for Turner! Boyce tosses it up, full and on off, Ashton Turner makes use of his long reach as he gets his hands out in front and slog sweeps it over deep square leg this time for another six.

SIX! Massive hit! Loopy delivery, right in the slot, on off, Ashton Turner reaches out in front and gets down on one knee. Slog sweeps it high and handsome over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Needless throw! Fuller in length, at the stumps, Ashton Turner stays leg side of the ball and knocks it in front of mid off. Jamie Overton has a shy at the bowling end seeing Cooper outside his crease. He fails to hit the stumps and concedes an overthrow as the ball rolls to deep fine leg for one.

Slanting in, on a nagging length, on middle, Ashton Turner tucks it from the crease to mid-wicket.

Serves it on a good length, on middle, Cooper Connolly has a swipe across the line. Gets it off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg for a run.

On a back of a length, on middle and leg, Ashton Turner turns it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Nicely done! Back of a length, just outside off, Ashton Turner opens the bat face and steers it finer of deep third for a boundary. Just 16 more runs needed now!

Comes back into the attack and goes full and on the pads, Cooper Connolly clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Full, on middle, Cooper Connolly drives it past the bowler to his right for a single. Perth Scorchers need 21 more runs off 42 balls.