Watch: Adelaide Strikers' James Bazley Completes Outrageous Boundary Line Catch In BBL 2023-24 Knockout

Adelaide Strikers were able to make a place in the Challenger of the Big Bash League 2023-24 and defeated Perth Scorchers by 50 runs in the knockout match. Strikers knocked out Scorchers from the tournament and now will be facing Brisbane Heat in the Challenger on January 22. The winner of the match will face Sydney Sixers in the final of the tournament.

Adelaide Strikers put up a brilliant bowling display and were able to defend 156 runs. Strikers wrapped up Perth Scorchers for 105 runs and Cooper Conolly was the last Scorchers batsman to fall against Cameron Boyce. On the 2nd ball of the 17th over, Conolly stepped down the wicket and tried to hit the bowler over the long-on region. While the ball was about to go for a six, James Bazley took a brilliant catch on the boundary.

James Bazley caught the ball but was imbalanced and threw the ball in the air. Bazley came back and completed a brilliant catch on the second attempt. This marked the end of the Perth Scorchers innings and they were knocked out of the tournament.

Watch – James Bazley’s catch helps Adelaide Strikers make a place in BBL 2024 Challenger

To punctuate a @StrikersBBL Knockout victory, James Bazley completes a boundary line catch from the very top drawer! 🔥#BBL13 pic.twitter.com/E1yPE8Sva4

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 20, 2024

The Adelaide Strikers, batting first, got off to a poor start as openers D’Arcy Short and Matthew Short were forced to walk back after scoring six and thirteen runs, respectively. Jake Weatherald attempted to even out the Strikers’ innings by taking two wickets, but he was firmly positioned at one end. But when cheap wickets fell to James Bazley, Harry Nielsen, and Thomas Kelly, Adelaide continued to lose wickets at the other end.

After reaching a well-earned half-century, Jake Weatherald scored 56 runs off just 32 balls. The Adelaide Strikers scored 155/7 in 20 overs thanks to cameos from Ben Manenti, David Payne, and Henry Thornton. While Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye finished the innings with one wicket apiece, Perth Scorchers captain Aaron Hardie and Cooper Conolly took two wickets apiece.

Sam Fanning and Marcus Harris of the Perth Scorchers put up 38 runs for the first wicket as they attempted to chase down the mark. Harris walked back to the dressing room for 8 runs, while Fanning was dismissed after 31 runs from 20 balls. Both Sam Whiteman and skipper Aaron Hardie were unable to muster much and left the field for two and six runs, respectively.

Josh Inglis and Cooper Conolly attempted to revive the Perth Scorchers innings after they were facing a batting collapse, but they were also removed for 12 and 31 runs, respectively, shortly after. The remaining wickets fell like a pack of cards as the lower order failed to contribute significantly to the team’s total.

For the Adelaide Strikers, Lloyd Pope was the best bowler and finished the innings with four wickets. Henry Thornton, David Payne, and skipper Matthew Short each took one wicket, while Cameron Boyce claimed three.

The Adelaide Strikers have just once taken home the Big Bash League championship, which was in 2018. Perth Scorchers, on the other side, had won the title five times and were vying for a third trophy in a row. But for now, their desire is just that—a dream. They will have to return the next season and try to win the competition.