Beardman Blasts Smith as Scorchers Storm Into Home Final

News Desk

Islamabad: Teenage quick Mahli Beardman produced a hostile, match-defining spell to dismiss Steven Smith and propel Perth Scorchers into a home Big Bash League grand final with a commanding 48-run win over Sydney Sixers at Optus Stadium.

Defending 147, the Scorchers ripped through the Sixers’ batting to bowl them out for 99 inside 15 overs, with Beardman finishing with 3 for 20 in a performance that underlined why he has been fast-tracked into Australia’s T20 plans.

Smith briefly threatened to keep the Sixers alive, top-scoring with a brisk 37 from 24 balls, but he lacked support on a seam-friendly surface. The former Australia captain was undone by Beardman’s pace and bounce, mistiming a short ball to fine leg as the partisan Perth crowd erupted.

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The victory sends Perth directly into their 10th BBL final and guarantees them home advantage, while the Sixers will get another chance on Friday when they host the winner of the Knockout final between Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars.

Earlier, Perth’s 147 for 9 was built around Finn Allen’s aggressive 49 from 30 balls. After a cautious start, Allen took on Mitchell Starc, ramping up the scoring with a series of towering sixes before falling just short of a half-century.

Starc had earlier made an immediate impact by removing Mitchell Marsh and finished with a probing opening spell, but Perth were able to scramble to a competitive total despite regular wickets.

Ashton Turner and Jhye Richardson added a vital 44-run partnership late in the innings as the Sixers’ bowlers relied heavily on slower balls to stifle scoring.

In reply, the Sixers’ chase faltered early. Beardman struck with short-pitched bowling to remove Josh Philippe and captain Moises Henriques, tilting the match sharply in Perth’s favour. From 23 for 3, Smith counterattacked with characteristic flair, but wickets continued to tumble around him.

Once Smith fell, the result was effectively sealed. Perth’s disciplined attack, backed by sharp fielding, ensured the Sixers never recovered, reinforcing the Scorchers’ reputation as the BBL’s most formidable finals team as they march into another decider on home soil.