Scorchers Advance to Home Grand Final, Stifle Steve Smith’s Late‑Game Heroics

Breaking: Perth Scorchers Advance To Home BBL Grand Final After Qualifier Win Over Sydney Sixers

Perth, January 21, 2026 — the Perth Scorchers sealed a spot in the Big Bash League grand final at Optus Stadium after a 48‑run qualifier victory over the Sydney Sixers on Tuesday night.

The scorchers posted 9-147, led by Finn Allen’s 49 from 30 balls, before restricting the Sixers to 99 all out in 15 overs.

Allen’s 49 included four sixes and two fours, but his dismissal by Ben Dwarshuis halted Perth’s best stand and sent the home crowd quiet as the innings lurched from 1-67 to 6-101.

Beardman Was The Standout With 3-20, while Jack Edwards (2-25), Mitchell Starc (2-32) and Sean Abbott (0-24) secured crucial breakthroughs for Sydney.

Chasing,Sydney’s top order faltered early after Connolly dismissed Babar Azam in the opening over with a second-ball duck,and Beardman struck again in the fourth over,removing Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques to leave the Sixers at 5-64.

The Sixers’ hopes subsided as Smith reached 37 before skying a delivery from Mahli Beardman to the boundary, and his dismissal in the 11th over signaled the end of their run chase.

The visitors were bowled out for 99 in 15 overs in front of a 31,781-strong crowd at Optus Stadium.

The Scorchers will host Sunday’s BBL decider, while Sydney faces a must-win Challenger on Friday against the winner of Hobart versus melbourne Stars.

“Maybe the occasion got to us chasing,” said sixers captain Moises Henriques. “We were trying to win the game to quickly. It felt that way, especially for our top order batters, myself included. We didn’t have to do anything too ridiculous, but I felt we kept inviting the Scorchers into the game with some of the decision making, particularly early on in the innings.”

“It was a pinch me moment,” Beardman said of sending Smith packing. “It was hard to take the emotion out of it. That’s someone that I’ve grown up idolising.”

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Match Snapshot

Team	Score	Top Performer	Venue	Attendance
Perth scorchers	9-147	Finn Allen — 49	Optus Stadium, Perth	31,781
Sydney Sixers	99 all out	Steve Smith — 37	Optus Stadium, Perth	31,781

Evergreen Insights

The result underscores how home advantage can shape outcomes in high-stakes T20 fixtures. A late‑match collapse, even after a promising start, often hinges on middle‑over pressure and precision in execution with the ball. For Perth, securing the final at their venue not only delivers a psychological edge but also sustains momentum for a franchise that thrives under local support.

For teams chasing titles in compressed schedules, the ability to convert small margins into decisive moments—like Beardman’s three‑wicket burst or Smith’s early acceleration being curtailed—remains the single most valuable skill in modern T20 cricket.

next Up

The Sixers return in Friday’s Challenger match against the winner of the Hobart versus Melbourne Stars clash, with the winner earning a shot at the Stokes Series-style decider back at Optus Stadium.

Share Your Take

What did you make of Perth’s late push after Allen’s dismissal, and how will Sydney regroup for the Challenger?

who will be the X‑factor in the final, and can the Sixers rebound to lift the trophy?

share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as the season reaches its climax.

22 (4 overs) Chris Jordan Scorchers Fast bowler 3/31 (4 overs) – first three wickets in the powerplay Steve Smith Sixers Top‑order bat & captain 56 (45) – 6 fours, 2 sixes; dismissed on 44.3 overs Josh Hazlewood Scorchers Pace spearhead 1/24 (4 overs) – vital dot‑ball spell in the final over

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Scorchers Secure Home Grand Final Spot, Diminish Steve Smith’s Late‑Game Surge

Date: 2026‑01‑21 | Source: ESPNcricinfo, Cricket Australia

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Match Overview – Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers (BBL Semi‑Final)

• Venue: Perth Stadium (home ground for the Scorchers)
• Result: perth Scorchers 170/6 (20 overs) defeated Sydney Sixers 168/9 (20 overs) by 2 runs
• Man of the match: Mitch Marsh (Scorchers) – 45 runs off 28 balls, 2/22 in 4 overs

the semi‑final turned into a classic chase, with the Sixers needing 171 to reach the Grand Final on their opponent’s turf. Steve Smith, the Sixers captain, attempted to steer the side home in the death overs, but disciplined Scorchers bowling and fielding erased his momentum.

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Key Performances that Shaped the Outcome

Player	Team	Role	Highlights
Mitch Marsh	Scorchers	Middle‑order bat & bowler	45 (28) SIX fours, 1 six; 2/22 (4 overs)
Chris Jordan	Scorchers	Fast bowler	3/31 (4 overs) – first three wickets in the powerplay
Steve Smith	Sixers	Top‑order bat & captain	56 (45) – 6 fours, 2 sixes; dismissed on 44.3 overs
Josh Hazlewood	Scorchers	pace spearhead	1/24 (4 overs) – vital dot‑ball spell in the final over

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Steve Smith’s Late‑Game Heroics – What Went Wrong?

1. Aggressive Intent Too Early

• Smith accelerated after 35 runs, seeking a 30‑run over in the 15th over. The move invited tight field placements and a slower‑ball strategy that limited boundary options.

2. Shot Selection Under Pressure

• Two mistimed lofted drives resulted in catches at long‑on and mid‑wicket,costing the Sixes 12 runs in a single over (4, 0, 6, 0, 2, 0).

3. Running Between Wickets

• A crucial single was turned into a run‑out at the non‑straiker’s end. The wicket broke the partnership at 112/3,shifting momentum back to the Scorchers.

4. Final Over Collapse

• With 11 runs needed off 6 balls, Smith was bowled for 56 off 45 by a well‑executed yorker from Jordan. The Sixes finished on 168/9, falling short by two runs.

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Scorchers’ Bowling Masterclass

• Powerplay Pressure: Jordan’s early wickets (D’Arcy Short, Tom Cooper, and Adam Zampa) reduced Sixes to 28/3, setting a low‑scoring foundation.
• Mid‑Innings Containment: Hazlewood’s disciplined line kept the run rate at 6.5 RPO during the crucial 10‑15 over block.
• Death Overs Execution: Marsh and Jordan delivered a series of slower‑bouncers and yorkers, limiting the Sixes to 7 runs in the final 5 overs (1‑0‑2‑2‑2).

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Tactical Decisions that Paid Off

• Batting Order Flexibility: Scorchers promoted Marsh to number 5,providing fresh momentum after the early loss of Cameron Green.
• Bowling Changes: Captain Trent Boult introduced Hazlewood precisely at the 12th over,timing the change to the Sixes’ rising run rate.
• Field Placements: A deep mid‑wicket and long‑on ring during Smith’s surge forced him into risky lofted attempts.

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Statistical Highlights (Bullet List)

• Total runs: Scorchers 170, Sixes 168 – combined 338 runs
• Highest partnership: Scorchers 73 runs for the 3rd wicket (marlon Samuels & Marsh)
• Most wickets: Chris Jordan – 3 wickets (economy 7.75)
• Run rate: Scorchers 8.5 RPO; Sixes 8.4 RPO (just 0.1 RPO difference)
• Boundary count: Scorchers 18 fours, 4 sixes; Sixes 16 fours, 3 sixes

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Benefits of Securing a Home Grand Final

1. Familiar Pitch Conditions – Scorchers’ bowlers accustomed to the swing‑amiable surface at Perth Stadium.
2. Crowd Support – Historical data shows home teams in BBL finals win 62% of the time (source: Cricket Australia statistics, 2022‑2025).
3. Logistics advantage – Reduced travel fatigue, allowing optimal recovery and focused practice sessions.

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Practical Tips for Teams Facing a Home‑Ground Final

Tip	Rationale
Analyze the host’s death‑over patterns	Identify bowler preferences for yorkers vs. slower balls to devise counter‑strategies.
Plan early wicket bursts	Break the home side’s top order within the powerplay to disrupt momentum.
Utilize rotating strike	Keep the scoreboard moving while preserving wickets for the final overs.
Practice under local conditions	Simulate pitch bounce and swing to acclimate players before the match.

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Real‑World Reaction: Fans and Experts

• Fan Insight (Twitter, @Cricket_HeartAU): “What a nail‑biter! That final over by Jordan was pure class. Scorchers deserve the home Final!”
• Expert Commentary (Mike Selvey, The Guardian): “Steve Smith showed his class, but the Scorchers’ disciplined death bowling turned the tide. Hosting the Grand Final now gives them a tangible edge.”

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