HITS

BASH BOOST BONUS

The Perth Scorchers at least got the Bash Boost point after keeping their opponents to 1-78 at the 10-over mark, two runs less than what they got.

It was little consolation for the men in orange, who gave up their chance to secure the minor premiership.

But it does put them seven points clear of the Sixers in second spot.

AARON HARDIE

There wasn’t much to smile about in the disappointing loss but Aaron Hardie continued to impress.

Although dismissed for a duck, Hardie was the pick of the bowlers for Perth, recording 3-31 off his four overs, including the key wicket of Henry Hunt to give the visitors a sniff in the first ball after the innings break.

Peter Hatzoglou (1-24 off four overs) was also impressive.

COFFEE TO BBL CALL-UP

Local replacement player Brayden Stepien was down the road at a coffee shop when he was told to come back to Adelaide Oval.

Why? So he could pull on the gloves for the Scorchers.

With Laurie Evans out with an injured toe and Stepien not at the ground, Chris Sabburg took the gloves for the first 10 overs of the Strikers’ run chase before Stepien rushed back by the mid-innings break.

What a way to make your club debut!

MISSES

MORE COVID DRAMA

With just one game to go before finals, the Scorchers will be without Cameron Bancroft and Matt Kelly after the pair tested positive for COVID-19.

The pair were already in isolation, alongside import Colin Munro, but positive results now put them on the sidelines for at least seven days - while the Scorchers play their final game of the season on Monday against Brisbane.

It is unclear when Munro will be fit to play, but the men in orange will be hoping their stocks get replenished - not depleted - as they aim to go one better than they did in BBL10.

LIMPING LAURIE

With three guns in the Test team and another trio out due to COVID-19, the last thing the Scorchers needed was an injury crisis.

While Ashton Agar’s was named as the X-Factor player, he did not feature in the game - despite the Scorchers’ low total.

Laurie Evans showed obvious discomfort after a Harry Conway yorker landed on his toes in on his way to 39 off 31.

The Englishman had found form in the back end of BBL11, but limped off as his innings came to an end and did not take to field.

With Josh Inglis in the Test team and back-up ‘keeper Cam Bancroft out with COVID-19, Evans was also their gloveman for the match.

As the Strikers openers made their way to the middle, Evans sat on the sidelines with his foot up.

Wanneroo skipper Chris Sabburg took his place behind the stumps for the first 10 overs, before replacement player Brayden Stepien stepped in.

TURNER’S TURNING POINT

After a slow start with the bat, the Scorchers appeared to be getting into gear with Evans and captain Ashton Turner in the middle.

But when the skipper’s wicket fell, it sparked a batting collapse of 6-27 as the visitors went from 2-80 to 8-107 in just 34 deliveres.

It put the lack of batting depth under the microscope, as Andrew Tye (2 off 4) and Jason Behrendorff (0 off 2) at seven and eight were in and out, exposing the tail-enders in Peter Hatzoglou, David Moody and Lance Morris with more than four overs to go.

It lead to the Scorchers posting their lowest score of the tournament to record 9-127.

IS THIS THING ON?

It was a disappointing loss for the Scorchers, but luckily for them - most of Perth probably didn’t see it.

Even if you were up at the 7.40am start time, most fans likely would have been on their way to work.

Even the players commenting on the early wake-up call - despite it being 10.40am when the game got underway in Adelaide.

“Probably because it’s 10 o’clock in the morning,” wicketkeeper Harry Nielson said when asked about the sleepy start.

“Most of the guys are still asleep at this time.”