PS vs AS

9:34 PM local time (7:04 PM IST): So, we've had two brilliant games of T20 cricket in the Big Bash today! This tournament just continues to give, doesn't it? For now, this is the pair of Datrim and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda for more from this season's BBL, with Sydney Sixers hosting Brisbane Heat tomorrow! The first ball is to bowled at 7:15 PM local time (1:45 PM IST). 

Player of the Match [Joel Paris from Perth Scorchers, 20 off 14 & 3/20]: "Yes, thanks, boys. Yes, going into break we felt as though we were 20-30 runs short. But Turner believed that if we took a few early wickets, then we could be in business, and that's exactly what we did (speaking on whether his cameo with the bat had any impact). I don't know; you can take a lot of time to get yourself going. I personally struggled to find the middle in the first few balls. Just trying to contribute, got 3 wins in a row and would want to carry on in this fashion. (His takeaway on being spin-heavy today) Yes, look, I think we haven't bowled a lot of spin. Agar bowled really well for us. Tonight Turner's captaincy has had an effect (but he doesn't know exactly why). It's great to see young guys having a go, and today every one of us contributed. Feels definitely good to be back in orange." 

9:22 PM local time (6:52 PM IST): Perth Scorchers win by 33 runs with 11 balls to spare! 

Mitchell Marsh 37 (33) | Joel Paris - 3/22 (4)
Liam Scott 33 (28) | Lloyd Pope - 4/23 (4)

Not many teams would have been able to defend only 153 runs here at the Perth Stadium, but when we talk about Perth Scorchers, we mean something! They simply know how to win on their home ground in front of their adorable fans! 

It was a magnificent defense! Matthew Short began in his own, merry way and it looked as though he would take his team to the finish line, at least, take them close. But one shot too many ended his stay at the crease. That turned out to be an important moment in the match! 

But again, we had 9 overs of spin in this innings too! Cooper Connolly bowled 4, took a wicket. Ashton Agar of course, bowled 4, took a wicket, giving away only 21 runs. And, surprise surprise! Skipper Ashton Turner bowled one over, and got rid of both Short and Jason Sangha! 

But we're in Scorchers territory, so, pace has to come into effect! And pace indeed came into effect! Joel Paris ended up taking 3 wickets for only 22 runs. Aaron Hardie and Mahli Beardman chipped in with 2 wickets and 1 wicket, respectively, and on the whole, the home team stuck to its plans to get rewarded! 

Adelaide Strikers were in it for a long time, but there came two key moments just before and during the Power Surge. First, Liam Scott, who was there for quite some time and looking good, attempted a big shot immediately after getting a boundary, and got out. Second, in the first over the Surge, with Jamie Overton at the other end, both Jerrssis Wadia and obviously, Luke Wood, should have handed him the strike. Instead, they tried to go big and threw their wickets away, leaving Overton high and dry at the other end! 

Eventually, the win came the Scorchers' way! With this, they move to 2nd in the points table after collecting 8 points. The Strikers do have a game in hand, but, are stuck on 4 points after 5 matches. 

18.1 Aaron Hardie to Lloyd Pope, CAUGHT! ALL OVER! STRIKERS HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 120! Length ball on middle. Pope looks to chip it down the ground but does not get hold of it, and Couch completes the catch at long on. Scorchers win by 33 runs!

Aaron Hardie [2.0-0-10-1] comes back into the attack.

We have 2 overs left. It seems as though it's all over for the Strikers. But, from a net run rate perspective, there is a case for them to bat the overs out. Hope they are looking at that now. 

Had this catch been taken right here, it would help the Scorchers in terms of their net run rate. These small things matter in the end, they really do. 

17.4 Joel Paris to Tabraiz Shamsi, DROPPED! Strikers are still alive! Fuller length ball outside off. Shamsi looks to go big through extra cover but miscues it. Marsh covers good ground and tries to get his hands under it, but the ball pops out of his hands. 

17.3 Joel Paris to Lloyd Pope, Leading edge but falls safe! Good length ball on leg. Pope closes the face of the bat too early and the ball rolls away to the offside for a run.

The Strikers must not throw in the towel. If not anything more, they should try and bat the overs out, just to make sure that the net run rate doesn't get worse. 

16.6 Mahli Beardman to Tabraiz Shamsi, Play and a miss! Length ball around off. Shamsi tries to stay inside the line of the ball, but does not get any bat on it.