PERTH Scorchers have moved into second spot on the Big Bash League (BBL) table after accounting for the Sydney Thunder at Sydney Showground Stadium last night. Fresh off their first loss in 11 games, the double reigning champions successfully chased down the hosts’ 8-137 with five balls to spare.

English openers pivoted both innings, with the Thunder’s Alex Hales (72 off 55) playing a lone hand after his side was sent in to bat, before Zak Crawley (58 off 56) helped guide the Scorchers home. Fittingly, another English-born international – Josh Inglis – got the job done late with his unbeaten 26 (19).

Atop a tacky wicket which provided equal amounts spin and controversy, the difference between either innings was the loss of rash wickets. Despite his knock of heavy hitting and shifting gears, Hales saw three batting partners run out alone, while the Scorchers only lost the same amount of wickets overall.

The powerful boundary hitter was visibly frustrated by the tough pitch but still managed to clear the rope nine times. He now faces a race against the clock to get up in time for Sydney’s next game – a derby against the Sixers on Friday night – after appearing to strain his calf while batting.

In the face of Hales’ power, Ashton Agar was a key piece in halting the Thunder’s momentum. The left-arm finger spinner bowled 18 dot balls en route to remarkable figures of 2-6 (4). Young gun Cooper Connolly went one better with 3-25, as either player also prized a runout.

Both sides put up virtually identical scores after the powerplay and halfway mark, but the Thunder went on to lose seven wickets after the 10th over as pressure built to lift the run rate. Agar’s power surge over yielded two breakthroughs for just three runs and was ultimately a turning point in the inning.

With the Thunder restricted to a score under the 150-mark, Perth’s required rate consistently hovered just above a run-a-ball. The only slight wobble came after Crawley was dismissed with 25 runs still required off 20 balls, but Inglis whacked Daniel Sams for consecutive boundaries to relieve the pressure.

Perth’s faces another road trip next up, against the undefeated Brisbane Heat in a top of the table clash. The Scorchers and Heat will meet twice in the former’s last three games. Perth’s final fixture, against the Sixers, will also prove key to deciding the makeup of the top four.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Perth Scorchers won by 7 wickets with 5 balls to spare.
POTM: Ashton Agar (Perth Scorchers)
BAT FLIP: Perth Scorchers won the bat flip and elected to bowl.

KEY PLAYERS

Sydney Thunder:
Alex Hales 72 (55), Tom Kohler-Cadmore 27 (18), Cameron Bancroft 12 (19)
Nathan McAndrew 2-27 (4), Chris Green 1-22 (3.1), Tanveer Sangha 0-14 (4)

Perth Scorchers:
Cooper Connolly 3-25 (4), Ashton Agar 2-6 (4), Andrew Tye 0-36 (4)
Zak Crawley 58 (56), Josh Inglis 26* (19), Aaron Hardie 22 (22)

INNINGS BREAKDOWN

Power Play (1-4)
Thunder: 0-27
Scorchers: 0-30

Halfway (10)
Thunder: 1-67
Scorchers: 1-65

Power Surge:
Thunder (11-12): 2-22
Scorchers (17-18): 1-18

Totals
Thunder: 8-137 (20)
Scorchers: 3-140 (19.1)