A hostile spell from rising fast bowler Mahli Beardman proved decisive as Perth Scorchers booked a home BBL Grand Final, overpowering Sydney Sixers by 48 runs despite posting a modest total of 147 at Optus Stadium.
On a surface offering seam movement and bounce, the Scorchers’ disciplined pace attack turned the Qualifier on its head, skittling the Sixers for just 99 inside 15 overs. Beardman, on the brink of a potential international debut, produced the defining moment by dismissing Steven Smith, who once again stood tall but lacked support in a faltering chase.
Beardman delivers statement performance
Selected recently in Australia’s T20I squad ahead of the World Cup, Beardman underlined why he is so highly rated with a spell of controlled aggression. Entering the attack in the fourth over, he immediately applied pressure with steep bounce and pace in excess of 140kph.
He removed Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques with short-pitched bowling before claiming the prized wicket of Smith, rushing the veteran with a sharp delivery that resulted in a mistimed pull to fine leg. Beardman finished with 3 for 20, a spell that broke the Sixers’ resistance and swung the contest irreversibly in Perth’s favour.
Smith fights alone in collapsing chase
Chasing 148, Smith raced to 37 off 24 balls, striking with authority whenever given the chance. He even launched a six off his first delivery, a rarity in T20 cricket, but found himself starved of strike as wickets tumbled around him.
The Sixers slipped to 23 for 3 inside the powerplay, and despite Smith’s counterattack against Brody Couch, the mounting pressure eventually told. His dismissal drew a roar from a partisan crowd, aware they had witnessed the match’s turning point.
Allen sparkles before Scorchers stumble
Earlier, Finn Allen’s 49 off 30 balls gave Perth early momentum after being sent in by Henriques. A much-anticipated duel with Mitchell Starc provided brief fireworks, with Allen eventually finding his range after a watchful start.
However, once Allen fell, bowled after threatening a third straight half-century, the Scorchers’ reshuffled middle order struggled against smart, slower-ball bowling. Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie and others failed to capitalise, and Perth lost 5 for 34 in a stuttering passage.
A stabilising 44-run stand between Ashton Turner and Jhye Richardson proved crucial, pushing the total to a competitive 147, one that looked increasingly imposing as the pitch revealed its true nature.
Scorchers seal another finals chapter
Sixers, bowled out inside 15 overs, now face a sudden-death clash at home against the winner of the Hobart Hurricanes–Melbourne Stars Knockout. For Perth, the victory books a home Grand Final, continuing their remarkable dominance in a rivalry that has now produced 10 finals and eight titles between the two sides.
On a night where reputations were tested, it was a young fast bowler who stole the spotlight, and sent a clear message that the future of Australian pace bowling is already knocking hard on the door.
