Hurricanes scorched

A MEDIOCRE score by the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL was effortlessly reeled in thanks to a commanding opening partnership by the Scorchers in Perth last night.

Set just 140 to win the Scorchers had 123 on the board before losing a wicket as they cruised to a nine- wicket win.

THE Hobart Hurricanes were booted out of the top four on the BBL ladder on Tuesday by an undermanned Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium.

The Scorchers continue their surge up the ladder, winning their fifth consecutive game, despite being without Colin Munro and losing Mitch Marsh early in the game.

They also leapfrogged the Adelaide Strikers into third spot because of a superior run rate.

The nine- wicket loss was the Hurricanes third defeat in a row.

They struggled to reach 5- 139 on the back of D’Arcy Short’s second half- century for the tournament.

But Perth openers Jason Roy ( 74 not out) and Liam Livingstone ( 54) made light of the chase, the pair each reaching half centuries for the first time in this campaign in a 123- run partnership.

The Scorchers reached the modest target in the 17th over and didn’t even need their power surge.

SLOW GOING

The Hurricane’s innings fell well short of the 180 runs that teams batting first at Optus Stadium have posted to win the previous four games at Optus Stadium.

At least the Hurricanes started well – learning from

history and choosing to bat first after winning the flip.

Those four victories teams all lost the bat flip and were put into bat.

But that small victory was all they took from the game, reaching just 2- 15 in the opening four- over power play and just 3- 50 in the first 10 overs of their innings. It was the equal worst target set for a bash boost bonus point.

The Scorchers reached that target in their seventh over.

Jhye Richardson continued his outstanding form and surely has a spot booked on Australia’s upcoming T20 tour of New Zealand next month.

The tournament’s leading wicket- taker took 1- 2 in his first two overs, removing the competition’s leading run maker, Ben McDermott, for just two.

SHORT GAME

Short and Colin Ingram called for their two- over power surge straight after the drinks break and took 24 runs from it.

But they couldn’t carry that momentum into the end of their innings, scoring 65 from their last eight overs. At least Short looks to have found some form, having not reached 20 run in four previous innings.

Tim David was the Hurricane’s next best contributor with an unbeaten 31 runs from 23 balls.

BEWARE INJURED MARSH

The Scorchers bowling options were dealt a blow when Marsh walked off the ground just three balls into his first over and the sixth of the innings.

He was replaced by x- factor Kurtis Patterson, who didn’t get a chance to impact on the game.

Celebrating having penned a new four- year deal with Perth on Monday, Marsh strained his side and looks unlikely to be able to bowl for some time.

But coach Adam Voges hinted to the Channel 7 commentary that the Scorchers all- time leading run maker remained a batting option.

Marsh hasn’t been able to bowl in every game this season, but has been handy with the bat, scoring 187 runs at an average of 46.75.

Munro is likely to return from a quad strain in time to play the Sydney Sixers in Canberra on Saturday.