Perth Scorchers Edge Adelaide Strikers by 33 Runs Thanks to Joel Paris’s Late Heroics

Joel Paris played a pivotal role in a late resurgence as the Perth Scorchers secured a hard-fought 33-run victory against the Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium, overcoming a strong spin bowling attack.

South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi dazzled with his trademark shoe celebration while Lloyd Pope impressed as the Strikers’ spin-heavy bowling restricted the Scorchers to a modest 153 for 8. Chasing the target, Adelaide appeared well-positioned at 48 for 1 and 86 for 4, but Paris triggered a dramatic collapse.

Earlier in the innings, Paris contributed valuable runs with two sixes to finish unbeaten on 20. However, his bowling in the 16th over, the start of the powerplay, was decisive—first dismissing Jerrssis Wadia caught at mid-off, followed by Luke Wood’s catch at point two balls later. Paris took 2 wickets for just 6 runs in that over, leading to the Strikers being bowled out for 120 in 18.1 overs. This marked the Scorchers’ third consecutive win, lifting them to second place on the points table.

The Scorchers faced injury setbacks with key players Finn Allen (finger) and Laurie Evans (hamstring) ruled out. Meanwhile, Shamsi made an immediate impact on his BBL debut by removing Mitchell Marsh and Cooper Connolly within four balls during the 10th over, initiating the Scorchers’ collapse.

Following Marsh’s dismissal at long-on, Shamsi celebrated by holding up his shoe like a phone and pointing towards a fan box. Australian T20 star Tim David, commentating in Perth due to a hamstring injury, mimicked the gesture in response, highlighting their camaraderie from their time as teammates with the St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League.

Pope then took the wicket of Sam Fanning as the Scorchers fell to 74 for 3 in the 11th over. The team’s woes continued in the 13th over when Pope dismissed Joel Curtis and Aaron Hardie, leaving Perth at 87 for 5.

Although Ashton Turner sparked hope with a strong 15th over, hitting Shamsi for multiple boundaries, Shamsi quickly struck back, trapping Turner with a catch to midwicket and Pope removing Nick Hobson. Consequently, the Scorchers could only post a below-par total.

The Strikers relied heavily on spin from the fifth over through to the final ball, a tactic that had previously helped them upset the Scorchers in the BBL13 knockout final two years prior.

During the chase, Cooper Connolly took the crucial early wicket of Chris Lynn in the first over. Adelaide settled to 48 for 1 before Turner reignited the contest by removing Matt Short and Jason Sangha in quick succession. After Mackenzie Harvey dismissed Ashton Agar, the Strikers slipped to 3 for no wickets.

Though they stabilized briefly, the Strikers were unable to withstand Paris’s late surge, resulting in their defeat.