The home team Perth Scorchers won their first Big Bash League title at the third attempt, defeating the Hobart Hurricanes by 39 runs at the WACA on Friday night to win the fourth edition of Big Bash.
Shaun Marsh, who made a crucial return from the calf strain sustained while playing for Australia against England in the ODI series, scored an unbeaten 63 off 43 balls to propel the Scorchers to 4 /191.
In reply Hobart ended the night at 7/153 as the Scorchers bowlers defended a huge score with ease.
The Hobart Hurricanes again looked to skipper George Bailey (58 off 32) to inspire its run chase, but a skewed required run-rate eventually proved too much for the Tasmanian based franchise.
Brad Hogg, who took 2/17 from his four overs, was the star with the ball for Perth as the crowd favourite choked Hobart batsmen in the middle overs.
“I think [the man of the match award is] just because of my birthday,” Hogg said after the match.
“What a wonderful performance. Full credit to the Hurricanes as well, they did the damage against the Melbourne Stars the other night, but we came out full of confidence tonight and were able to defend 191.
“I’ve got no idea [how I keep performing at age 43], but I’m enjoying this young group.
“WA cricket is moving forward, that’s the main thing. Justin Langer‘s doing a fantastic job.
“We’ve just got such a great coaching group and great group of lads. I’m lost for words.
Chasing a mammoth target of 192, Tim Paine (7) fell early in the reply and Ben Dunk (17 off 14) followed two overs later as the Hurricanes failed to truly get on top of the Scorchers‘ bowling.
Jonathan Wells used up too many balls in his 24 from 23, and by the time Bailey started to play shots, the asking rate already spiraled over 12 runs per over for Hobart.
Bailey, who smashed six fours and two sixes in his 58, was eventually dismissed by Pat Cimmins when Australian T20 skipper lobbed a catch to Thomas in the deep.
Travis Birt (2) and Evan Gulbis (6) fell shortly after, before Dimitri Mascarenhas top-edged Alfonso Thomas to Simon Katich for 16. Ben Hilfenhaus (13) and Cameron Boyce (1) were the not-out batsmen.
Earlier, in the first innings, the Scorchers got off to a sluggish start when Simon Katich (6 off 9) was caught by Dunk off Mascarenhas‘s bowling, but semi-final hero Craig Simmons, who has attracted many IPL franchises, injected momentum into proceedings.
Simmons smashed five boundaries on his way to 45 off 36, before skying a catch to Mascarenhas at third man off a full and wide Gulbis delivery.
Shaun Marsh along with his younger brother Mitchell, who arrived in the 17th over, lashed onto Mascarenhas for three consecutive sixes and four in the 18th over, which cost Hobart 24 runs.
The Hurricanes, though, do have some consolation in that they will feature in the Champions League T20 tournament, along with the Scorchers.
