RESULT
1st Semi-Final (N), Perth, January 24, 2017, Big Bash League
(16.5/20 ov, T:137) 139/3

Scorchers won by 7 wickets (with 19 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
3/3
mitchell-johnson
Cricinfo's MVP
116.5 ptsImpact List
mitchell-johnson
Report

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

Perth Scorchers 3 for 139 (Marsh 56*, Whiteman 31) beat Melbourne Stars 8 for 136 (Gotch 48, Johnson 3-3) by seven wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
An inspired opening spell of pace bowling from Mitchell Johnson set up a blistering victory for Perth Scorchers, booking them a home final at the WACA. Melbourne Stars were the victims, losing both their openers in Johnson's first over, and they never really recovered, scrambling their way to 136 for 8, but ultimately losing by seven wickets with 19 balls to spare.
Just as he did in the Scorchers' last league game against Hobart Hurricanes, Johnson's opening burst, which - on a low pitch - read 4-2-3-3, gutted the opposition, and from thereon his team-mates put on a typically clinical display. Johnson's bowling colleagues remained relentless, while the chase was calm and calculated, with Shaun Marsh making his second successive half-century.
In their fifth final (which will take place straight after their women's team contest their first final), Scorchers have a shot at a third title. They will play Brisbane Heat or Sydney Sixers, who meet at the Gabba tomorrow. For the Stars, a fairly sorry season has ended with the return of their semi-final curse; five times in six years, they have fallen at the penultimate hurdle. Again, they have been hurt badly by their national team-heavy list.
Mitch's 3 for 3 off four
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.
Five runs came off Johnson's next over, but none off the bat. Another maiden.
The opening ball of Johnson's third over struck the most bitter blow for the Stars, with Kevin Pietersen - who had complained about the lack of pace in the pitch - flicking straight to midwicket. Marcus Stoinis blocked, left, swayed, then missed. The last ball was pushed into the leg side for one.
Johnson was not done yet. Steaming in at 144kph, and with Stoinis having holed out off Jhye Richardson, Gotch and David Hussey took a single each. Johnson ended his four-over spell with 3 for 3, and a standing ovation from the WACA crowd. The Stars were 28 for 4 after seven overs. It was a truly magnificent spell.
The recovery
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.
Waltzing to a home final
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.
Final pitch concerns?
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

Win Probability
PS 100%
MSPS
100%50%100%MS InningsPS Innings

Over 17 • PS 139/3

Scorchers won by 7 wickets (with 19 balls remaining)
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TEAMMWLPTNRR
PS853100.618
BH853100.516
SS85310-0.848
MS84480.397
MR84480.042
AS83560.334
HH8356-0.530
ST8356-0.600