A DIZZYING Perth Scorchers bowling performance that left Adelaide Strikers at 8-58 after 10.2 overs ultimately set up a huge win for the visitors, storming to victory at Adelaide Oval with seven wickets in hand and 33 balls remaining.

In a team effort across the board, the work of Jhye Richardson (3-29), Jason Behrendorff (2-14) and Lance Morris (2-19) all propelled the Scorchers to victory, limiting the Strikers to 8-142 in the innings. However credit has to go to the Strikers tailenders in Brendan Doggett and Cameron Boyce who put on a remarkable unbeaten 84-run ninth wicket partnership to make a game of it in the BBL|14 clash last night.

While Perth always looked set to take home the chocolates after that strong start, Doggett and Boyce at least bought themselves and the rest of the strike force time to bowl the red-hot Scorchers out. For a little while, it was not a complete fantasy that the Strikers might be able to restrict the Scorchers, keeping them to 2-28 off two overs, but by the halfway mark of the Perth innings, it was clear that only a miracle would save the home side.

Finn Allen smashed a half century off 23 balls despite losing partners Matty Hurst and Aaron Hardie in the second over for a combined five runs. He made a nice third wicket partnership with Cooper Connolly for 84 runs before Doggett finally snagged the breakthrough wicket. However by then, it was too little, too late, with too many wickets to account for.

Barring a similar middle-order collapse, the Strikers were fighting an uphill battle. Connolly (48* off 35) fell just short of an unbeaten half century, while number five batsman Ashton Turner chipped in an explosive 35 not out off 18. The pair steered the Scorchers to victory in plenty of time and added a partnership of 57 runs.

In what was an even overall performance, Connolly was awarded Player of the Match for his unbeaten effort, while also bowling 0-13 off two overs in a reasonably economical spell. Though just as easily the likes of Allen or any of the three key bowlers could have taken the gong, which helped move the Scorchers up to second on the ladder, leapfrogging the Sydney Thunder with a 3-2 record.

The loss meant the Strikers slip to 1-4 in the BBL|14 season and time is fast running out to mount a case for the title. They at least get the chance for a quick bounce-back win over Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium tomorrow, while the Scorchers have until Friday before hosting the Thunder in a massive top three clash.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Scorchers won by 7 wickets with 33 balls remaining
POTM: Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers)
BAT FLIP: Scorchers won and elected to bowl

Adelaide Strikers
Brendan Doggett 47* (49), Cameron Boyce 29* (22)
Jhye Richardson 3-29 (4), Jason Behrendorff 2-14 (4), Lance Morris 2-19 (4)

Perth Scorchers
Finn Allen 50 (23), Cooper Connolly 48* (35), Ashton Turner 35* (18)
Henry Thornton 2-26 (3), Brendan Doggett 1-19 (3)

INNINGS BREAKDOWN:

Power Play (1-4):
Strikers: 2-20
Scorchers: 2-28

Halfway (10):
Strikers: 7-54
Scorchers: 3-98

Power Surge:
Strikers: (11-12): 7-54 to 8-79 (1-25)
Scorchers: N/A

Totals:
Strikers: 8-142
Scorchers: 3-146

SQUADS

Adelaide Strikers: Jake Weatherald, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Ollie Pope (wk), Alex Ross (c), Jamie Overton, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope

Perth Scorchers: Finn Allen, Matty Hurst (wk), Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner (c), Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris

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