| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
Chandigarh: Mitchell Marsh hit two sixes in the last two balls to seal a thrilling six-wicket win over CLT20 debutants Dolphins in Mohali on Saturday.
Chasing a challenging 165 to win at the PCA Stadium, Scorchers were up against it when 17 runs were needed of the last over and with 12 runs to get in the last two balls, a minor miracle was needed.
Robert Frylinck, who had given just 15 runs in his first three overs, bowled a high full toss and Marsh heaved it over deep midwicket for a six. Tension rose in both the camps.
Pressure was on Frylinck to tie Marsh, whereas Scorchers were anticipating a repeat of the penultimate ball. The burly South African hurled down a low full toss this time and Marsh got under it only to clear the long-on fence with ease. Marsh had become Scorchers' miracle maker.
Craig Simmons and Sam Whiteman hit 48 and 45 respectively to keep the Australian T20 champions in the hunt after Dolphins gained the upper hand after first four overs, limiting Scorchers to 14 for 1. A 55-run partnership between Simmons and Whiteman kept Dolphins at bay. Cameron Delport's scalp of Simmons brought the South African side back but their advantage started fading when Whiteman upped the ante along with Marsh in a 49-run stand.
Ashton Agar came in to bat after Whiteman missed out on a well deserved fifty and he concentrated on giving the strike to Marsh. Frylinck got rid of Agar on the second ball of the final over and Scorchers had only Marsh to bail them out with his 40 not out from 26 balls.
Earlier, choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Dolphins rode a half century by right-handed middle order batsmen Khaya Zondo after the top order was blown away by Scorchers' left-arm fast bowling duo of Jason Behrendorff and Joel Paris.
Paris struck twice in the first over of the match, accounting for Dolphins skipper Morne van Wyk (4) and Cody Chetty (0). Behrendorff dismissed opener Cameron Delport next over and the South African team were in early trouble at 12 for three. However, number five batsman Zondo kept a cool head on his shoulders and batted through the innings, scoring 63 off 50 balls with the help of seven fours and allowed the other batsmen to play their strokes.
Keshav Maharaj played some audacious shots and took the attack to the Scorchers bowlers by hitting five fours and a six in his 22-ball 29. Once he was dismissed by Behrendorff, new batsman Daryn Smit went after the batting straight away and hit 21 off 14. Zondo, meanwhile, was gathering momentum by holding one end up. Behrendorff kept Scorchers on top by scalping Vaughn van Jaarsveld for 7.
Talented hard-hitting youngster Andile Phehlukwayo scored 14 from 11 balls and shared a 44-run stand which came off just 27 balls. Robert Frylinck's two sixes in the final over lifted the total from being a respectable one to one that can be a challenge to chase down for the batsmen under lights.
Apart from Behrendorff who took three for 46, Paris and Yasir Arafat took two wickets each.
Earlier, Dolphins have won the toss and have opted to bat.
Teams:
Perth: Adam Voges (Capt.), Craig Simmons, Sam Whiteman (wk), Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Yasir Arafat, Jason Behrendorff, Joel Paris, Brad Hogg
Dolphins: Morne van Wyk (Capt.), Cameron Delport, Cody Chetty, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Khayelihle Zondo, Daryn Smit (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Robert Frylinck, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Craig Alexander
Brief scores
Dolphins - 164/7 (Zondo 63*, Behrendorff 3-46)
Perth Scorchers - 165/4 (Simmons 48, Whiteman 45, Marsh 40*)
Result - Perth Scorchers won by 6 wickets
Points - Perth Scorchers 4, Dolphins 0
MOM - Mitchell Marsh (Perth Scorchers)
