Perth Scorchers advance to Big Bash final after beating Brisbane Heat in lopsided contest

Mark Steketee was stunned when he was benched from the Big Bash Challenger against the Scorchers. And the move backfired on the Heat.

Mark Steketee was subbed out after bowling just one over. Picture: Getty Images

The Perth Scorchers have overcome a rollercoaster week to book their place in the Big Bash decider after they cruised past the Heat to set up a rematch with bitter rivals the Sydney Sixers.

Having lost to the men in magenta last week, the Scorchers had to deal with a venue change after COVID drama in Western Australia meant they couldn’t play at their fortress Optus Stadium.

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They were dealt another blow when import Jason Roy was ruled out of the Challenger due to an ankle injury, but the rest of the top-order stepped up as they pasted the Heat’s attack to all parts of Manuka Oval.

Opener Liam Livingstone (77 off 39) blasted six sixes, while the recalled Cameron Bancroft (58 off 42) and Mitch Marsh (49 off 28) added an unbeaten 75 before rain ended Perth’s innings 11 balls early.

The seventh BBL half-century of Livingstone’s career was perhaps his finest knock on these shores, while Marsh was equally impressive just days after he was fined for a foul-mouthed tirade at the umpires during the loss to Sydney.

Liam Livingstone cracked his seventh half-century in the BBL. Picture: Getty Images

“I was due to score some runs for the boys this tournament,” Livingstone said.

“I haven’t quite got going as many times as I would have liked, but thankfully I got a few out of the middle to get us off to a decent start.”

Set a revised target of 200 from 18 overs, the Heat needed openers Joe Denly and Chris Lynn to put a big dent in the target.

Instead, Jason Behrendorff removed the pair with the final two deliveries of the power play to seal Brisbane’s fate.

Any hopes for a miracle were quickly to bed when last-start hero Sam Heazlett fell meekly, before Marnus Labuschagne was cleaned up by Fawad Ahmed for 15.

BAT-FLIP CRAZY

If the past 12 months have taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.

Right on cue, the Challenger delivered before a ball had been bowled.

The captains could only laugh during the pre-game bat flip as the bat landed on its side not once, but twice, before Lynn eventually elected to bowl first.

Unprecedented scenes here at the bat-flip 😱😱😱 #BBL10 #BBLFinals pic.twitter.com/7HWvoMcNZI

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) February 4, 2021

OFF THE MARK

Heat paceman Mark Steketee’s week went from bad to worse after he was sensationally subbed out of the contest having bowled just one over.

The competition’s second-leading wicket-taker was visibly upset when he was replaced by Morne Morkel in a decision that few saw coming.

It was salt in the wound given the quick was set to be on the plane to South Africa, only for the Test series to be postponed.

“That’s the body language of a guy who had no preparation for the news that was about to be delivered to him. It’s major policy change on the run,” Adam Gilchrist said in commentary.

Not happy, Jan... 😡

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FOUR MORE

Thursday’s result sets up a juicy decider between the Scorchers and the Sixers, with the teams set to meet in a Big Bash final for the fourth time in 10 years.

The match at the SCG is officially sold out, with the crowd capacity increased to 75 per cent for the showpiece event.

The fierce rivalry is littered with storylines, but the most intriguing moment will come when Andrew Tye bowls to James Vince after his wide cost the Englishman a chance to bring up a sparkling century last week.