(Cricket news) Forrest Chase glowed orange as close to 2,000 Perth Scorchers Members and fans flocked to meet the squad ahead of the marquee match. The BBL|12 Final is the first time the Stadium will host a men’s Big Bash League Final, as the Scorchers aim to secure back-to-back championships.
Perth Scorchers secured hosting rights for The Final following a seven-wicket win over long-standing rival the Sydney Sixers in front of a BBL|12 record crowd of 41,126 at Optus Stadium on Saturday night. The Scorchers were the most dominant team of BBL|12 finishing on top of the ladder with 11 wins from 14 regular season matches – the fourth time the side has finished first on the MBBL ladder.
Veteran bowler Andrew Tye finished as the Perth Scorchers leading wicket-taker, with 24 scalps at an average of 18.45 in 14 matches. Allrounder Aaron Hardie placed second in the top run-scorers of BBL|12, tallying 434 runs at an average of 48.14 from 13 innings.
Dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis joins teammate Hardie in the top five run-scorers of the season with 405 runs in 13 innings. Members and fans are called to pack out Optus Stadium and share the hype using #FireUpTheFurnace as the Scorchers chase their fifth BBL title.
The stadium spectacle will include a live Welcome to Country, scorching flames and pyrotechnics, live entertainment, appearances by Scorchers mascots Blaze and Amber and a family-friendly fan zone including fun cricket activities and free airbrush tattoos.
The KFC BBL|12 Final starts at 4.30pm AWST on Saturday 4 February with the first allocation of public tickets already sold out, after more than 34,000 tickets were purchased in four hours. An additional allocation of tickets will be made available for purchase later this week, after the opponent is decided on Thursday night with the result of The Challenger, including an allocation for fans of the away team.
“Our supporters have been enormous for us throughout the season. The atmosphere at Saturday’s Qualifier was incredible, and it gave the guys a huge boost. We’re incredibly excited for the Final – particularly after playing last year’s Final in Melbourne – and we’re keen to share this excitement with everybody who has been with us for the journey.”
Perth Scorchers Head Coach – Adam Voges:
“Western Australia continues to demonstrate its capacity for hosting brilliant large scale sporting events and attracting sports fans from across Australia. The atmosphere at the playoffs over the weekend was unreal. Support for the BBL in Western Australia is growing every year and events like this will help to grow the game at the grass roots level, ensuring a sustainable future for the code.”
Deputy Premier – Hon. Roger Cook MLA
“The City of Perth is proud the team which carries our name has carried it all the way into a home grand final. Let’s turn Perth Orange this week and show our support.”
Perth Lord Mayor – Basil Zempilas
UPCOMING PERTH SCORCHERS MATCHES:
BBL|12 – The FINAL
Perth Scorchers v winner of The Challenger
Saturday 4 February, 4:30PM WST
Optus Stadium, Perth
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