On Saturday night at Optus Stadium, the reigning champions bowled out the Sixers for 117 in response to their 9-155 thanks to the potent new-ball duo of Jhye Richardson (4-9) and Jason Behrendorff (2-22), who were in excellent form upon their comeback.
Any prospect of a Sixers recovery was ended by Richardson’s meek death bowling, and Behrendorff had the visitors reeling at 3-9 after removing Josh Philippe and catching Moises Henriques behind for a golden duck.
Chasing 156 may look an achievable job but the kind of bowling Perth Scorchers has, it is produced trouble every over for the visiting side at Optus. The second over wicket was Sixers’ disastrous start, during which James Vince and Dan Christian were quickly sent back to pavillion, losing all chances of making up the game. The innings was extended by Jordan Silk (41 off 32 balls) and Hayden Kerr (42 off 35), who helped to steady the ship but as Jhye Richardson was back to bowl the second over in power surge, all went in Scorchers’ favour.
Left arm orthodox spinner Agar (1-27) and T20 expert Andrew Tye (2-26) did their job in the middle overs, squeezing the Sixers’ batting line-up.
After losing to the Adelaide Strikers by 51 runs on Wednesday, the Sixers now have a winless record through their first two games.
Prior to the combination of Agar (24) and rising star Aaron Hardie (55 off 32), the Scorchers were in danger at 5-49 off seven overs. But they built their innings and some late contribution from Agar and Kelly gave Perth Scorchers a chance to reach a commendable position on a spicy pitch.
Before opening the pressure valve with three sixes during the Power Surge to reach his half-century, Hardie took his time. After the Scorchers won the toss and decided to bat, Perth’s first look at high-profile recruit Faf du Plessis was fleeting. The former captain of South Africa hit his opening ball beyond mid-off for four, but he sliced on to Afghan debutant Naveen-ul-Haq Murid at 14.
Evergreen seamer Jackson Bird was the preferred Sixers bowler after Sean Abbott gave up 28 runs in the Power Surge’s second over. The 36-year-old dismissed Ashton Turner, the Scorchers’ captain, and played flawless lengths the rest of the way to a 3-26 and 13 dot balls total.
Scorecard:
Perth Scorchers
First innings 155 – for 9 wickets
Sydney Sixers
First innings 117 all out
Perth Scorchers win by 38 runs