BBL 7 Match 10 Review: Perth Scorchers defeat Renegades after Johnson's glorious spell

Mitchell Johnson seems like a man untouched by age, a factor which has played truant in the glowing careers of many world-class cricketers. The Australian seems to be making up for all the months spent on the sidelines due to injuries even at the age of 36 as evident from his swashbuckling performances in the Big Bash League (BBL) this season.

The Perth Scorchers recorded their third win on the trot by 3 wickets against the Melbourne Renegades on the back of Johnson’s awe-inspiring spell of 3/13 in 4 overs restricting the Renegades to a below-par score of 130 which was never going to be a defendable total in spite of a formidable Renegades bowling attack. Jhye Richardson backed the experienced pace-bowler to a great extent racking an explosive spell of 1/23 himself.

Perth Scorchers captain Adam Voges won the toss and opted to unleash his fast-bowling trio against the opposition with an eye on restricting them to a low score. Experienced fast bowler Mitchell Johnson delivered the goods almost instantaneously recording a wicket maiden in the first over knocking over captain Aaron Finch who is currently in the middle of an extremely disappointing run himself having failed to score above 10 in the first 3 games.

Johnson further accounted for the prized wicket of the 2nd highest run-scorer in the BBL this season, Cameron White in his second over leaving the Renegades tottering at a score of 17/2 at the end of 3 overs. Tom Cooper, Marcus Harris and Dwayne Bravo were the highest run-scorers for the Renegades leading the side to a score of 130/9 in 20 overs which seemed unlikely at one stage after the brilliant performance registered by the Scorchers bowling attack with Johnson at the helm, Agar, Richardson playing a supporting role and Tye a touch expensive for once.

Renegades’ Valiant Comeback Fails to Register A Hat-Trick Of Wins

The Melbourne Renegades bowlers consisting of the likes of Brad Hogg, Dwayne Bravo, Mohammad Nabi failed to get the side over the line while defending the total after an entertaining cameo of 31(21) by Englishman David Willey who was promoted as a pinch-hitter and a mature knock of 37 runs in 37 balls by Micheal Klinger set the Scorchers on course of victory.

Spinners Nabi and Hogg terrorised the Scorchers batsmen with their variations conceding just 32 runs while picking up 3 wickets as a duo in a partnership which threatened to bring the Renegades back into the game.

A mini-collapse in the end slightly tilted the game in the Renegades’ favour before Ashton Turner finished proceedings off ensuring a win in spite of a nervy finish for the Scorchers.

Brief Scores

Perth Scorchers: 130/9 after 20 overs (Cooper 34, Johnson 3/13; Agar 1/20)

Melbourne Renegades: 133/7 after 19 overs ( Klinger 37; Nabi 1/16, Hogg 2/16)

Result: Perth Scorchers win by 3 wickets.

Man of the Match: Mitchell Johnson