LIVE BBL: Disaster for Stars as rising Aussie strikes twice in Perth’s ‘perfect start’

With top spot on the line and the chance to host a home final, the Melbourne Stars were off to the worst possible start in Perth.

Young Cooper Connolly snared two wickets in two balls in the opening over, and it only got worse when Melbourne’s leading run scorer Sam Harper (6 from 6) departed the following over.

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MATCH CENTRE: Scorchers vs Stars teams, scorecard, stats, videos

At 3-15, it was “disaster” for the visitors as the Scorchers were in complete control.

But skipper Marcus Stoinis and Campbell Kellaway led the fightback, with Stoinis’ 95m six off Luke Holt bringing up the pair’s 50-run partnership.

Just as the Stars looked to be steadying, Kellaway then threw his wicket away as he feathered Aaron Hardie through to Josh Inglis.

At the mid-innings drinks break, the Stars were 4-67. Glenn Maxwell remained in the sheds as West Aussie Hilton Cartwright was promoted to join Stoinis in the middle.

“Just wondering if they are thinking Maxwell for the surge,” former England skipper Michael Vaughan questioned.

“Bit of an old school thinker – there’s 60 balls remaining, I want Glenn Maxwell out there.

“I just don’t know why you’d want to keep him in the dugout – there’s only 60 balls remaining.

“You’d want him to face as many as possible from here on in.”

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ALL ON THE LINE

Ashton Turner and the Perth Scorchers host Marcus Stoinis and the Melbourne Stars in a battle for first place at Optus Stadium.

The second placed Scorchers can jump the Hurricanes with a win and top the table, while the third placed Stars can jump Perth and Hobart into first with a victory.

The Scorchers will have Australian Test stars Jhye Richardson and Josh Inglis on deck, while Joe Clarke comes in for Sam Hain for the Stars.

Mitch Marsh and Finn Allen coming off a century will lead the charge with the bat for the Scorchers, while Richardson and Cooper Connolly will be danger men with ball in hand.

For the Stars, Sam Harper and Glenn Maxwell will be ones to watch with bat in hand, while Peter Siddle and Mitchell Swepson have been amongst the wickets.

It sets the scene for a winner takes all clash as both sides hunt a second chance in the finals.

SQUADS

Perth Scorchers: Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Laurie Evans, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Luke Holt, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, David Payne, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner (c)

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