Johnson's 3 for 3 gives Scorchers home final
Mitchell Johnson's 3 for 3 - the most economical four-over spell in the Big Bash League - led Perth Scorchers to their fifth final in six seasons
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
What a way to start a T20. What a way to start any game of cricket! Johnson began with a loosener at Rob Quiney's hip. Quiney didn't need to bite, but he did, guiding straight to the man at fine leg, one of just three posted on the leg side, for his second golden duck in three innings. Luke Wright had crossed, but after leaving, then defending, he slashed to Ashton Turner at close-in gully. Little Seb Gotch left the last ball of the over. A double-wicket maiden to begin.
Things got better for the Stars, but not hugely. Gotch and Hussey put on 52, targeting the spinners and the small boundaries. But when Hussey was caught trying to kick on, the wickets would not stop. Evan Gulbis and Ben Hilfenhaus briefly looked dangerous, but were both caught in the deep, while Gotch's impish, enterprising innings was ended by a fine diving catch from Ashton Agar at mid-off. The tail swung and ran hard to drag them to 136, in the face of some very fine death bowling from Tim Bresnan. The Stars had done rather well to not be bowled out.
The Stars had a bowling attack - full of canny seamers - nicely suited to the challenge posed by the pitch, but the target was always too slim. Michael Klinger went early, but Sam Whiteman came out swinging and Marsh looked in sublime touch. Whiteman looked to have edged behind on 13, but was not given, instead falling caught in the deep for 31. Adam Voges picked out midwicket, but out came Ian Bell to finish the job alongside Marsh with a delightful cameo. Indeed, a vintage cover drive to end it.
Concerns over a pitch four days out might seem premature, but this is the slow track on which the final will be played, and by then it will have 20 more overs in it from the WBBL final, too. BBL could not farewell the WACA (Scorchers will play at the new Perth Stadium from next season) in a more appropriate fashion than a double Scorchers title; it would be even sweeter if it took place on a classic, ferocious WACA track.
Will Macpherson writes on cricket for the Guardian, ESPNcricinfo and All Out Cricket. @willis_macp