Brisbane Heat unable to get over Perth Scorchers despite Spencer Johnson four wickets

A Spencer Johnson four-for wasn’t enough to get the Heat across the line as the Brisbane team fell in Perth for the sixth time in a row - thanks in part to two stunning run-outs.

Brisbane’s Perth hoodoo has rolled on with the Heat suffering a 33-run loss to the Scorchers in the second BBL clash on Boxing Day.

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Brisbane’s winless run at Optus Stadium now extends to six, despite the best efforts of returning pace ace Spencer Johnson who nabbed 4-20 (4 overs) in his first game back from injury.

The contest was turned by two brilliant runouts to Scorchers duo Ashton Agar and Finn Allen as Perth returned to the winners’ list in front of more than 41,000 fans.

From his knees, Agar was able to runout former Heat skipper Jimmy Peirson before Finn Allen caught dumped Test opener Nathan McSweeney short when he threw down the stumps off one step.

And the Heat couldn’t recover from the two moments of brilliance as they slumped to just 132 all out.

The win means the Scorchers bounce back from two road losses to Hobart and the Renegades to get their BBL14 title hopes back on track.

A brilliant unbeaten knock from former accountant Nick Hobson (47* off 16 balls) had lifted Perth to a competitive 6-165.

Hobson took 24 off the final Xavier Bartlett over to give his bowlers something to defend after his side’s “horrific” opening woes rolled on.

“They haven’t gone for more than a run a ball in every powerplay that they’ve had in this BBL and that is a concern,” Fox Cricket’s Shane Watson lamented.

Import Finn Allen failed again - making it now four straight matches he’s failed to get out of the first over. But he made up for his batting woes in the field to help Perth claim victory.

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‘CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?’

Two incredible runouts turned the second BBL Boxing Day clash to send the massive Perth crowd into a frenzy.

Ashton Agar was the first to deliver in the field before his efforts were matched by import Finn Allen moments later.

Agar dived away to his right, grabbed the ball one handed and while still on his knees, was able to throw down the stumps to leave former Brisbane captain Jimmy Peirson well short of the crease.

The moment sent the massive Optus Stadium crowd into delirium.

“Got him!” Fox Cricket’s Brett Lee said.

“Direct hit! Pack your bags, he says!

“What a brilliant display of fielding.

“Ashton Agar, take a bow. Wow!”

Ashton Agar's brilliant run out caught Jimmy Peirson well short.

Fellow commentator Steve O’Keefe said Agar had turned the game with his brilliance.

“Moves very quickly to his right, quick pivot and boom!” he praised.

“If that doesn’t get the crowd going, nothing will.”

But not to be outdone, Allen caught dropped Test opener Nathan McSweeney short of his ground when he threw down the stumps off just one step.

Allen was able to jump to his feet and nail middle stump at the non striker’s end in incredible scenes.

“Can you believe it?!” Lee said.

“Wow! Hasn’t Finn Allen stepped up for his team now!” Steve O’Keefe added.

“Deadly accurate!

“Middle stump!”

The runouts left Brisbane reeling in their chase of 166 for just their second-ever victory at Optus Stadium.

Nathan McSweeney was run out by an incredible effort from Finn Allen.

FIRST OVER FAIL... AGAIN

Finn Allen’s horror BBL14 curse has continued with the star import failing to see out the first over for the fourth straight match.

Opening for Perth in the second of the BBL Boxing Day clashes, Allen fell for a second duck in two matches in a new low for the 25-year-old.

“Finn Allen, what would be going through his head?” Fox Cricket’s Steve O’Keeffe said.

“Another duck, another failure inside the first over.”

What a start from Spencer Johnson! 🔥

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— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 26, 2024

Allen tried to get returning Heat star Spencer Johnson away after four dot balls, but instead put it down the throat of Mitchell Swepson.

“If he just went with the angle and tried to hit that through the covers, he would have absolutely nailed it,” Shane Watson added.

“That’s what happens when you are a little low on runs... you just don’t watch the ball right onto the bat and that’s when you can get into a bit of trouble.”

Allen started his BBL career with a bang in his first game for Perth with a six off Kiwi Adam Milne’s first ball. But he fell second ball.

That two-ball curse continued in his second game when he struck a four and was then dismissed against Hobart.

His third outing for the Scorchers ended with a three-ball duck.

Statistics show Allen now has 10 runs from a total 12 balls in four matches.

The Heat won the bat flip and elected to bowl.

The match got underway at 9:20pm AEDT from Optus Stadium.

FINAL TEAMS

Perth Scorchers: Ashton Turner (c), Ashton Agar, Finn Allen (New Zealand), Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Matthew Hurst (England), Matt Kelly, Lance Morris, Andrew Tye

In: Aaron Hardie

Out: Josh Inglis

Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro (c) (New Zealand), Tom Banton (England), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan McSweeney, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Paul Walter (England)

In: Spencer Johnson, Tom Banton

Out: Jack Wildermuth, Tom Straker, Tom Whitney

Originally published as Brisbane Heat unable to get over Perth Scorchers despite Spencer Johnson four wickets