The Perth Scorchers have begun the 15th season of the Big Bash League in style, with a rapid half-century from Cooper Connolly powering a five-wicket win.
After a rare finals miss in the 2024/25 season, player of the match Connolly’s 31-ball 59, including five thunderous sixes, saw the five-time champions begin with a win after a sudden Perth downpour threatened to turn the season opener into a damp squib.
Play was delayed by the storm for over an hour, reducing the game to 11 overs a side, with the Sixers’ total of 5/113 despite a nightmare start proving not enough after being sent in by the Scorchers.
NSW Sheffield Shield captain Jack Edwards almost single-handedly made the total respectable with a 21-ball 46 after Daniel Hughes (0) and star recruit Babar Azam (2) fell in the opening overs to the Scorchers’ pace bowling brigade.
An unfortunate run out for captain Moises Henriques when a Josh Philippe drive brushed Ashton Agar’s fingers en route to the non-striker’s stumps summed things up for the visitors, with Brody Couch (2/12) the pick of the bowlers for the hosts.
In reply, Scorchers star and Australian T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh fell for a duck after edging Charlie Stobo to Babar at slip off the third ball of the innings.
But 22-year old Connolly dazzled around cameos from Finn Allen (16 off eight balls), Aaron Hardie (13 off seven) and captain Ashton Turner (16 not out off nine) helped run down the total with five balls to spare.
Making short work of Optus Stadium’s short straight boundaries, Connolly only fell with the end in sight; but having tasted international cricket in all formats over the last 18 months, higher honours look set to come again for the Western Australian all-rounder.