Scorchers firm in BBL title odds after dominant win over Stars

The Scorchers defeated the Stars in the opening match of the 2024-25 Big Bash League season on Sunday in Perth, extending their streak against the Melbourne-based side to seven wins in a row.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Stars were slow off the mark, scoring just three runs from the first 20 balls and losing two wickets.

With Joe Clarke (0) and Sam Harper (1) back in the sheds, captain Marcus Stoinis grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and struck an important 37 runs from 33 balls to give the visitors some semblance of momentum.

Still, the $2.25 underdogs at cricket bookmakers were unable to recover from their stodgy beginning, stuttering through to 9/146 with contributions from Hilton Cartwright (18), Beau Webster (19) and Tom Curran (37).

In response, Perth also found themselves in early trouble.

Openers Finn Allen (6) and Keaton Jennings (4) both fell inside the first two overs, leaving the Scorchers at 2/15.

Cooper Connolly (64) well and truly took control, however, striking an excellent half-century to knock off the lion’s share of the chase before Ashton Turner (37*) and Nick Hobson (27*) closed out the six-wicket win with 17 balls remaining.

“Obviously nice to start the season well,” player of the match Jhye Richardson said afterwards.

“Traditionally, we have not started the way we would have wanted and have come back well later.

“Nice to get a win in front of the home crowd.

“We (as a bowling unit) have done it so well for so long. We all share it along.

“Someone chips in always and that is what we pride ourselves on.

“[The crowd] makes a difference.

“We love our fans, and it is awesome to be able to put on a show for them first up.”

Perth are now firm favourites to win BBL14, shortening from $4.75 pre-season into $4.33 with T20 cricket betting sites.

Melbourne remain on the last line of betting to win the Big Bash, with their odds lengthening from $9 to $12 at Bet365.

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