The highly-anticipated final of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 took place between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat at the Optus Stadium on Saturday. The defending champions defeated Heat in the summit clash by five wickets and bagged their fifth title.
Man what a BBL final! That was insane! Huge congrats to the Perth Scorchers. #BBL12
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) February 4, 2023
Batting first, the Heat posted a competitive 175/7 on the board in their allotted 20 overs. Batter Nathan McSweeney was the top scorer with 41 runs off 37 balls, while Sam Heazlett and Max Bryant also made valuable contributions with 34 and 31 runs, respectively.
In response, the contest went down to the wire, where Scorchers chased down the target in the final over with four balls to spare. Captain Ashton Turner was the standout performer for Scorchers with a brilliant knock of 53 runs off 32 balls. 19-year-old Cooper Connolly provided the finishing touches and stayed unbeaten on 25 runs off 11 balls.
FIVE. TIME. CHAMPIONS. 🎉🏆🔥 #MADETOUGH #BBL12 #FireUpTheFurnace pic.twitter.com/uxRLZnUjBH
— Perth Scorchers (@ScorchersBBL) February 4, 2023
Skipper Turner was chosen Player of the Match for his impressive innings, while Matthew Short was named Player of the Series for his consistent performances throughout the tournament
Party time in Perth 🏆 #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/vLGgTixaEU
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) February 4, 2023
“It’s a surreal feeling. I have played a lot of games of cricket, but you still never know how it’s gonna pan out. To be able to have the closest game of the competition in the final in front of an orange stadium … You’ve painted the stadium orange tonight, and the support has been overwhelming. We have had a lot of guys in form, and that’s not always the case, particularly in T20 cricket. A lot of guys have contributed throughout the year to the wins. We have played an exciting brand of cricket. It’s the ‘never say die’ attitude. I think we have the confidence we can win from anywhere,” said Turner after the game.