Perth Scorchers ease to sixth BBL title after bowling Sydney Sixers for 132 in the final

Josh Inglis hit a six to seal a crushing six-wicket win for the Perth Scorchers and their record sixth Big Bash League T20 title over the Sydney Sixers in Perth.

Inglis hit the winning runs over the long ropes in his unbeaten 29 as the Perth franchise comfortably smashed the Sixers’ total of 132 to win with 15 balls to spare in front of a record 55,018 home crowd at Optus Stadium.

Opener Mitch Marsh top-scored for the Scorchers with 44 from 43 balls, while teammate David Payne was named player of the match for his three for 18 from four overs that took the Sixers to the skids.

“I’m delighted for the Perth fans. It was nervous but when you take a few wickets it calms the nerves. You always want to contribute and it was nice to be able to do that tonight,” Payne said.

It was a final between the two most successful clubs in BBL history, with the Sixers chasing their fourth title.

“A sixth title for this club, it is special. We are incredibly fortunate to have a group of players who have more or less grown up together. That cohesion and connection is something we are very proud of,” said Marsh.

New Zealander Finn Allen capped a brilliant season by overtaking David Warner’s 433 runs to finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 466 after his swashbuckling 36 from 22 balls.

The Sixers made their transcontinental return trip to Perth in the space of six days after stumbling in qualifying. They always struggled to match the Scorchers in the final after losing the toss and being sent to bat.

Steve Smith, Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques were all dismissed for 24, and the Sydney Sixers were bowled out for an under-par score on the last ball of their 20 overs. Jhye Richardson backed Payne with three wickets for 32 as the Scorchers kept a tight rein on the Sixers’ score.

Smith was the crucial wicket, dealt to Aaron Hardie when assessed lbw after making good contact with three fours from 13 balls. Australian Test batting star Smith has been in red-hot scoring form in the BBL since the Ashes tour, scoring 299 runs with a century and two half-centuries at an average of 59.80.