PERTH Scorchers have kicked off the new Big Bash League (BBL) season in ideal fashion after a six-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars on Sunday night. In front of over 30,000 fans at Perth Stadium, the home side was led past the set target of 147 by returning captain Ashton Turner.

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Turner hit the winning runs to finish unbeaten on 37 alongside Nick Hobson (27 off 14), though a half-century from youngster Cooper Connolly stole the show. Raising his bat for the first time in the BBL, Connolly hit seven boundaries en route to 64 off 51 balls after coming in at first drop.

Connolly came to the crease to face the third ball of the innings, with import Finn Allen hitting a six off the first before being bowled by New Zealand compatriot Adam Milne. While Englishmen Keaton Jennings and Matty Hurst also departed cheaply, Connolly took hold to rally the chase.

The 21-year-old teamed up with his skipper at 3-37, combining for 68 runs in their fourth-wicket stand. As is often the case, the Power Surge brought about the set batter’s demise, with Connolly becoming Tom Curran‘s first wicket in Melbourne Stars colours.

Despite the setback, Perth went on to add 1-24 in its two surge overs, before Turner and Hobson began to find the rope and got their side home with 17 balls to spare. As always, the Scorchers’ seasoned approach and sharp running between the wickets were key features of the fruitful chase.

In the Stars camp, Peter Siddle claimed his 100th BBL wicket by removing Jennings, while Curran (1-25), Brody Couch (1-27), and Adam Milne (1-30) also got on the board. Allrounder Hilton Cartwright was an unfortunate casualty though, being carted off the ground in the 13th over with a neck injury.

Earlier, the Stars won the bat flip and elected to take the crease first. It looked a particularly poor decision for new captain Marcus Stoinis in the early stages, as Jhye Richardson spearheaded the assault. The quick finished with figures of 3-19 to be named Player of the Match.

It took the Stars nine balls to get off the mark after Jason Behrendorff bowled a maiden up front. Richardson cashed in on the pressure build-up, first removing English opener Joe Clarke for a nine-ball duck before trapping keeper Sam Harper in front for one.

Stoinis helped turn the tide with a fighting 37 off 33, but was felled by a brilliant runout on the arm of Andrew Tye. His dismissal was a turning point in the innings, as the Stars entered the Power Surge at 3-63 and came out of it without their two set batters at 5-77.

The Stars were momentarily let off the hook as Beau Webster (19 off 13) and Curran (37 off 19) combined for 44 runs, but Richardson’s return yielded the key breakthrough. The Scorchers closed out well to restrict the visitors to 9-146, which ultimately proved to be below par.

Along with Richardson, firecracker quick Lance Morris (2-30) finished with multiple wickets. Behrendorff (1-19) was typically difficult to get away, while Connolly (1-18) and Ashton Agar (1-24) also got among the wickets. Five of the Scorchers’ six bowlers did so.

The result marked Perth’s seventh consecutive victory over the Stars. Melbourne will hope to get back star batter Glenn Maxwell in one of the next two games, starting with a clash against Brisbane Heat at the MCG on Wednesday night.

The Scorchers have an extra few days’ break before heading to Hobart to take on the Hurricanes on Saturday December 21. Tomorrow night’s BBL action sees last season’s finalists, Sydney Sixers host the Melbourne Renegades at the SCG.

SCORECARD

RESULT: Scorchers won by 6 wickets with 17 balls remaining
POTM: Jhye Richardson (Perth Scorchers)
BAT FLIP: Melbourne Stars won and elected to bat

Melbourne Stars 9-146 (20)
Tom Curran 37 (19), Marcus Stoinis 37 (33), Beau Webster 19 (13)
Jhye Richardson 3-19 (4), Lance Morris 2-30 (4), Jason Behrendorff 1-19 (4)

Perth Scorchers 4-150 (17.1)
Cooper Connolly 64 (51), Ashton Turner 37* (27), Nick Hobson 27* (14)
Tom Curran 1-25 (4), Brody Crouch 1-27 (3), Peter Siddle 1-29 (3.1)

INNINGS BREAKDOWNS:

Power Play (1-4):
Stars: 2-13
Scorchers: 2-30

Halfway (10):
Stars: 3-59
Scorchers: 3-73

Power Surge:
Stars (12-13): 2-14 | 3-63 to 5-77
Scorchers (14-15): 1-24 | 3-101 to 4-125

Totals:
Stars: 9-146 (20)
Scorchers: 4-150 (17.1)

SQUADS

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

Melbourne Stars: Tom Rogers, Joe Clarke, Sam Harper (wk), Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Beau Webster, Tom Curran, Hamish McKenzie, Adam Milne, Brody Crouch, Peter Siddle