Star signing fails in debut during 11-over rain impacted opener

The Scorchers have recorded the first win of the BBL season after heavy rainfall and lightning caused a delay at Optus Stadium, Perth, leading to a 11-over match against the Sixers.

Fox Cricket’s coverage started with a thunderstorm approaching and covers on the pitch with Adam Gilchrist saying there’d been “perfect weather” in the lead up to the match.

The rain then came down heavily with the game originally slated for a 7:15pm (AEDT) start.

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That weather eventually passed as the crowd returning to their seats but by 7:49pm, ground staff still couldn’t work on the ground due to the presence of lightning.

Play eventually started at 8:35pm, with the game reduced to 11 overs per side. 

The Scorchers won the bat flip and decided to field first.

Before the match, Fox Cricket’s commentator Mark Howard revealed Sixers players were given access to their phones to check in with loved ones after the shooting at Bondi Beach.

Babar Azam’s highly anticipated debut for the Sixers was a disappointment with the Pakistan superstar caught for 2 off 5 balls. 

The Sixers finished 5-113 with Jack Edwards top scoring on 46 not out. Brody Crouch had the best figures of 2-12.

Perth had an early scare when Azam caught Mitch Marsh for a duck off Charlie Stobo’s bowling after the third ball of the match.

That brought Cooper Connolly to the crease who won the match for the Scorchers with 59 as the total was chased down with five balls left. Perth finished 5-117. 

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Carol R. Alexander is passionate about decoding the complexities of science and technology for everyday readers. With a background in physics and a keen interest in emerging technologies, she specializes in writing about breakthroughs in space exploration, artificial intelligence, and green innovation. At Muscat Chronicle, Carol’s mission is to make scientific knowledge engaging, accessible, and thought-provoking for all. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys stargazing and mentoring students in STEM fields.