Photo Credit: Twitter Cover Photo of @BBL
The Perth Scorchers have been crowned KFC BBL|12 Champions after defeating the Brisbane Heat by five wickets in front of 53,886 fans at Optus Stadium, Perth.
Scorchers’ captain was named Player of the Final after a match-winning innings of 53 from 32 balls guided the Scorchers to their fifth BBL title.
The night also saw the one millionth fan for the KFC BBL|12 season come through the gates, with the final attendance of 53,886 being the:
- Largest crowd at any BBL Finals match
- Largest crowd for any cricket match in Perth
- Fourth largest BBL crowd ever
Batting first, Brisbane Heat piled on an imposing 7-175 in their 20 overs, with each of Nathan McSweeney (41), Sam Heazlett (34), Max Bryant (31) and Josh Brown (25) in the runs.
After falling to 3-54 in the eighth over of their reply, Turner and Scorchers teammate Josh Inglis put on 80 runs for the fourth wicket, before both fell in the space of three balls to set up a thrilling finale.
But just as the Heat appeared to be regaining the ascendancy, middle order pair Cooper Connolly (25 from 11 balls) and Nick Hobson (18 from seven balls) then combined in an epic 41-run partnership to haul their side over the line in the final over.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said:
“Congratulations to the Perth Scorchers on going back-to-back to secure their fifth KFC BBL title in tonight’s final.
“The KFC BBL|12 Final will go down as one of the most memorable nights in Big Bash history, with a record-breaking crowd of 53,886 witnessing an incredible decider that went down to the final over.
“We thank everyone who made this such a great occasion, putting a bow on the most incredible of seasons.”
