Big Bash League Final: Perth Scorchers create history, pull off a nerve-tinkling victory to win fifth BBL title

BBL 12 Final: Stamping their authority in Australia’s Big Bash League, Perth Scorchers on Saturday became the most successful BBL side after they defended their title for second time in BBL history. Ashton Turner’s side won the nail-biter by 5 wickets as they chased down the target of 176 runs in the final over.

Turner starred in the chase and for his match-winning 53 off 32 balls, the Scorchers’ captain was adjudged as the player of the match. 

It was a stop-start innings for the Heat after they elected to bat first under baking 38C skies in Perth with a fast start and finish punctuated by a middle period where they lost their way.

The Perth Scorchers have won their fifth title in the league. They were also the defending champions and are the only team to have defended their title two times. The Perth side was also the winner in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Apart from them, Sydney Sixers are the only other team to defend their title once in 2020-21.

19-year-old Cooper Connolly proved the hero for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL 12 Final

Young gun Cooper Connolly has announced himself on the national stage with two incredible sixes to deliver the Perth Scorchers back-to-back KFC BBL championships.

He’d faced just 11 balls this season before tonight and arrived at the crease following the disastrous run out of captain Ashton Turner with what looked like an insurmountable 40 still required from 20 balls to overcome the unfancied Brisbane Heat.

The 19-year-old left-hander smashed James Bazley for two clutch sixes off his second and seventh balls as he reduced the equation to 10 from the final over.

Nick Hobson then finished the job with four balls to spare with a six and four off Michael Neser to send a record 53,886 fans into a frenzy with a five-wicket win.

Young Connolly received all the cheers and appreciations that he deserved from the home crowd after a magnificent performance in the BBL 12 Final.

Matthew Short was adjudged BBL 12’s Player of the Tournament

Adelaide Strikers’ all-rounder Matthew Short has been named the BBL 12 Player of the tournament. It is certain that he was not the favorite ahead of the tournament to win the award, but he impressed everyone with his performances. He played some great knocks for the team at the top order, and he was a genuine wicket-taker as well.

Short scored 458 runs in the tournament at an average of 35.23, where he scored a century and a couple of half-centuries. With his spin-bowling, he scalped 11 wickets in the tournament. The impact Short had on the tournament was extraordinary, and he won a few matches on his own for his side.

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