Paris Turns the Tide as Scorchers Clinch Gritty Win Over Strikers in Perth

Perth Scorchers found a way to win when the contest threatened to slip through their fingers, riding a late burst from veteran quick Joel Paris to secure a tense 33-run victory over Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium. 

On a night dominated by spin, momentum swings, and sudden collapses, experience proved decisive as Perth registered its third straight win and climbed to second on the BBL 15 points table.

Spin stranglehold keeps Scorchers in check

Asked to set a target, the Scorchers never found full rhythm against a bold, spin-heavy plan from the Strikers. With imports Finn Allen and Laurie Evans ruled out through injury, responsibility fell on the middle order, but Adelaide’s spinners ensured there was little comfort.

Mitchell Marsh top-scored with a measured 37, while Sam Fanning’s 31 provided brief stability. The turning point arrived midway through the innings when Tabraiz Shamsi announced himself in dramatic fashion. In a single over, he removed Marsh and Cooper Connolly, ripping the heart out of Perth’s momentum. Shamsi’s celebration, shoe raised like a phone, drew a playful response from Tim David in the commentary box and underlined the confidence with which Adelaide’s spinners operated.

Lloyd Pope tightened the screws further, striking twice in the 13th over to leave Perth wobbling. Joel Paris, however, chipped in with an invaluable unbeaten 20, clearing the rope twice at the death to push the total to 153 for 8, a score that looked fragile but defendable under lights.

Adelaide’s chase began with promise, and after an early blow that saw Chris Lynn depart, the Strikers settled into control, cruising to 48 for 1 and later 48 for 4. 

Paris changed everything

Introduced at the start of the power surge, the left-armer struck immediately. Jerrssis Wadia miscued to mid-off, and two balls later Luke Wood lofted a catch to point. The over yielded two wickets and just six runs, tilting the balance sharply. Paris had already removed Harry Manenti earlier, but this burst broke Adelaide’s resolve.

From there, wickets tumbled in clusters as the Strikers lost their remaining batters to poor shot selection and tight bowling. Paris finished with figures that told only part of the story; his impact far outweighed the numbers as Adelaide collapsed to 120 all out in 18.1 overs.

Momentum swings Perth’s way

Earlier, Ashton Turner had played a key role with the ball, removing Short and Sangha in quick succession, while Cooper Connolly and Ashton Agar chipped in to keep pressure constant. The Strikers’ plan to rely almost exclusively on spin worked brilliantly in the first half but left them exposed once the required rate climbed and Perth sensed vulnerability.

For the Scorchers, it was a reminder of their identity: resilient, resourceful, and ruthless when opportunity arises. For the Strikers, it was a missed chance, undone by one decisive spell.