Perth Scorchers off to a winning start in rain-hit BBL opener

Perth Scorchers, the most successful team in BBL history, kick-started the new season with a win over Sydney Sixers in a rain-hit tournament opener. The 11-over game saw Sixers post 113/5 before Scorchers chased it down with five balls to spare, powered by a blistering half-century from Cooper Connolly.

Rain threatened the opening night before relenting for a 5:35 PM start. Scorchers struck early as Aaron Hardie dismissed Daniel Hughes. While Josh Philippe hit a couple of boundaries, BBL debutant Babar Azam miscued a pull shot to depart for just 2. Boundaries kept coming, but Scorchers struck at regular intervals to pin Sixers back.

Jack Edwards and Lachlan Shaw provided a much-needed push in the final five overs. Both batters went on a rampage, shifting momentum. Shaw was dismissed in the penultimate over, but Edwards remained unbeaten on 46, ensuring a competitive total.

Sixers started well with the ball as Babar took a great slip catch to dismiss Mitchell Marsh for a duck. Connolly settled quickly, smashing his third delivery for a six. Finn Allen then hit Edwards for a couple of sixes in an over as Scorchers matched their opponents.

After Allen's dismissal, Hardie kept the scoreboard ticking with boundaries before his dismissal at the halfway mark left the game poised. Connolly shifted the balance again with successive sixes off Todd Murphy, clearing the ropes again next over to bring up his fifty. Though Connolly fell just before the finish, Scorchers were comfortably placed as Ashton Turner completed the chase in the final over, giving the five-time champions a rollicking start.

Brief scores: Sydney Sixers 113/5 in 11 overs (Jack Edwards 46*, Josh Philippe 28; Brody Couch 2/12) lost to Perth Scorchers 117/5 in 10.1 overs (Cooper Connolly 59; Ben Dwarshuis 2/36) by 5 wickets.