Event of the Day: Perth Scorchers versus Hobart Hurricanes

Our event of the day is the Big Bash League 1st semi-final game between the Perth Scorchers and the Hobart Hurricanes at the new Optus Stadium in Perth. The Scorchers ended the regular season in first place with eight wins out of ten games for a total of 16 points. They are in a three-game winning run, while the Hurricanes lost their last three matches, but still managed a fourth place finish with ten points in the regular season to clinch the last semi-final spot. Both teams’ penultimate game of the league competition was a direct clash at the WACA Ground in Perth that the defending champion Scorchers won by 5 wickets. Following defeats in their first two games against the Hurricanes (in 2011 and 2013), the Scorchers have got the upper hand in the next six encounters, which gives them a lot of confidence ahead of today’s duel and their charge for their fourth Big Bash League title. They have also won the last seven of their games at home, but this will be their first game at the new stadium.

The Scorchers’ batting line-up will be bolstered by the presence of the Marsh brothers, as Mitchell returns from international duty, while Shaun is back from injury. All-rounder Ashton Agar and bowler Andrew Tye however, are away with the national team. The Hurricanes’ and the league’s leading run scorer with 504 runs, D’Arcy Short, is absent also due to international duty. The man to watch for the Hurricanes is the exciting allrounder Jofra Archer. We’re in for an exciting semi-final clash at the Optus Stadium.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The Spurs are third in the Western Conference with a 34-19 record, while the Rockets are one place above them on a 36-13 record. Elsewhere in the NBA, the Washington Wizards host the Toronto Raptors at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., while the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Milwaukee Bucks at the Target Center in Minneapolis. In the Women’s Big Bash League first semi-final, the Sydney Thunder Women face off with the Perth Scorchers Women at the Optus Stadium in Perth. In the rugby league Super League match, Warrington Wolves matchup with Leeds Rhinos at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. It’s the opening day of the Maybank Championship Malaysia at the Saujana Golf and Country Club in Shah Alam; and the first day of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s Day 4 of the St. Petersburg Ladies’ Trophy at the Sibur Arena of Dynamo Tennis Club in Saint Petersburg. In the NHL, the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Vegas Golden Knights to the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by BBL