Mitchell Marsh’s 88 Powers Scorchers Past Strikers in Adelaide

Perth Scorchers underlined their reputation as the most destructive batting unit in this season’s Big Bash League with a 32-run win over Adelaide Strikers in a run-filled contest at the Adelaide Oval, riding on a blistering 88 off 51 balls from Mitchell Marsh and another imposing total away from home.

Batting first, Scorchers piled up 232 for 4, the equal second-highest BBL total at the venue, continuing a remarkable trend that has seen them breach the 200 mark four times this season. On a surface made for strokeplay, Marsh set the tone early and never allowed the Strikers’ attack to settle, launching seven sixes in a knock that mixed brute force with smart placement.

Marsh was equally well supported by Finn Allen, with the opening pair tearing into the new ball. The duo raced to 81 in just five overs, with a staggering 69 runs coming in a four-over stretch, the second-best powerplay burst in BBL history. Adelaide’s seamers struggled for control, missing lengths and feeding the hitting arcs, as 16 sixes flew off the Scorchers’ bat over the innings.

The Strikers found brief relief through their leg-spinners. Cameron Boyce and Lloyd Pope pulled the scoring back through the middle overs, Pope striking twice in quick succession to remove Allen and Cooper Connolly, the latter falling for a golden duck. Boyce, playing his first game of the season, used his experience to concede just 31 runs from four overs.

Despite the slowdown, Scorchers regained momentum through a fluent 77-run stand between Marsh and Josh Inglis. Fresh from Australia’s Test duties, Inglis looked in complete control, scoring 42 off 23 balls, highlighted by reverse sweeps and sharp footwork against spin. Marsh, though visibly tiring late in his innings, continued to clear the ropes before holing out in the 17th over. A late flourish from Aaron Hardie and Ashton Turner pushed the total well beyond 230.

Carey Fights, But Scorchers Close It Out

Chasing 233, Adelaide began with intent as Alex Carey and captain Matt Short attacked the powerplay, adding 49 runs in the first six overs. Carey, coming off strong Ashes performances, was particularly severe on anything loose, cracking Jhye Richardson for three boundaries in his opening four deliveries. One straight hit off Hardie that sailed into the stands stood out as the shot of the night.

Short brought up a rapid half-century off 29 balls but fell soon after, mistiming a slower ball from Hardie. Carey continued to keep the chase alive, reaching his fifty from just 23 balls and later surviving a tough chance at deep midwicket on 56. With 77 needed from the final five overs, Adelaide still harboured hopes of a late surge.

Those hopes faded when Carey’s superb innings of 71 from 39 balls ended with a sharp catch by Turner at cover. From there, Scorchers tightened their grip, with David Payne (3 for 35) and teenager Mahli Beardman executing slower balls and wide yorkers to choke the finish. Adelaide eventually closed on 200 for 8, falling short despite strong top-order contributions.

The result lifts Scorchers (5–3) to second on the points table, while Strikers (3–5) face a steep climb to keep their finals ambitions alive. Once again, Perth proved that when their batting clicks away from home, few sides in the BBL can keep pace.