Scorchers crush Sixers to move into BBL decider

The match started very well for Sydney; Master explosive Allen and some Optus Stadium bushes were the only things that caught fire during the Scorchers’ hit-and-run innings.

Allen hit four sixes and two fours on his way to 49 from 30 balls.

The Scorchers were in a good position at 1-67 in the eighth over but Perth’s momentum came to a complete halt when Allen clipped Ben Dwarshuis.

Josh Inglis (2), Cooper Connolly (8) and Laurie Evans (5) all fell cheaply as the Scorchers fell to 6-101 in the 15th over.

Shortly afterwards some bushes around the stadium caught fire and some punters poured water from the concrete walkway above in an attempt to extinguish the flames.

Eventually the fire was extinguished and the Scorchers’ innings similarly failed; Ashton Turner (29 for 21) and Jhye Richardson (20 for 18) could never quite let go of the leash during their 44-point campaign.

Dwarshuis (2-23 from four overs) was the Sixers’ best bowler, while Jack Edwards (2-25), Starc (2-32) and Sean Abbott (0-24) also played key roles.

When the Sixers batted, first-over specialist Cooper Connolly struck first again and Babar Azam stumbled for the second ball as he failed to get his back foot on the ground in time.

Beardman hit a double in the fourth and Josh Philippe (13) and Moises Henriques (2) blasted him for the easy catch.

He trailed the Sixers 3-23 at the end of the four-over power play.

Remarkably, Smith faced just three balls in that area as the Scorchers did an excellent job of keeping him out of the strike.

Connolly was brought back in the 10th over and bowled Jack Edwards for a duck.

Although Smith still looked like the game-winner at that stage, Beardman used his quick pace to rally the 36-year-old.