RESULT
31st Match (N), Hobart, January 21, 2017, Big Bash League
(13.5/20 ov, T:135) 135/3

Scorchers won by 7 wickets (with 37 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
57 (34)
shaun-marsh
Cricinfo's MVP
78.96 ptsImpact List
mitchell-johnson
Report

Scorchers thump Hurricanes to secure home semi-final

Perth Scorchers, led by Shaun Marsh's fifty, aced a chase of 135 in 13.5 overs to secure a home semi-final at the WACA, where they are tough to beat

Perth Scorchers 3 for 135 (Marsh 57) beat Hobart Hurricanes 6 for 134 (Short 36, Johnson 2-15, Bresnan 2-20) by seven wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
At this stage of T20 tournaments, the equation is rarely simple. That was the case here; having been invited to bat, Hobart Hurricanes needed to win by 30 runs to make the semi-finals, and by 35 to finish third. Perth Scorchers needed a win to make the semi-final, and if they chased their target down in 15.4 overs, they would host it at the WACA, where they are tough to beat.
The Scorchers, however, made it look simple. With their bowling full of miserly mix-ups, they limited the Hurricanes to 134. Then with a calm, calculated chase led by Shaun Marsh, they chased that down in only 13.5 overs with seven wickets in hand.
This was the Scorchers' tried and tested method, and it helped them leapfrog Brisbane Heat and move to the top of the points table. If Sydney Sixers beat Melbourne Stars at the MCG, that is where Scorchers will stay.
Mitch is back
A major reason for the Hurricanes' failure to post a substantial total was the performance of Mitchell Johnson. The fast bowler has tended to be held back by the Scorchers, but on Saturday he took the new ball, and he took it sensationally, mixing his pace and digging it in plenty. Adam Voges kept him on for three overs in the Powerplay, in which time he picked up the wickets of Tim Paine, caught behind off a brute of a short ball, and danger man Ben McDermott, hurried on the pull and picking out the fielder in the deep. The Scorchers were on their way.
The Mexican stand-off
Three down at the half-way mark of the innings, George Bailey - who was knocking the ball around patiently - was shaping as the key man for the Hurricanes. He had already been dropped by Ashton Turner at long-off, so he took on Ashton Agar straight down the ground. This time, Turner found a moment of brilliance. Running to his right and tight to the rope, he caught the ball, tumbled over the rope but tossed it up to Tim Bresnan, who was some 10 metres away running from long-on. It was a brilliant piece of teamwork, but did Turner's foot touch the rope? Bailey smiled and stood his ground, Scorchers celebrated, and the on-field umpires sent it upstairs. After an age, and with no categorically conclusive footage, Damien Mealey, the third umpire, sided with Turner's touch of genius and Bailey was on his way.
With him went the Hurricanes' hopes of a recovery. Agar and Adam Voges - who accounted for Dan Christian - and the clever changes of pace of Bresnan kept the Hurricanes in check.
Rose's one-handed grab
The middle period of the game belonged to the recalled Clive Rose. It was his late heave-ho that gave the Hurricanes respectability and something to defend. Then with the ball he put the brakes on the Scorchers' chase. His second ball was tossed up and full and Sam Whiteman - promoted to open - belted it down the ground. Four all the way, or so he thought. Rose stuck out his right hand and, remarkably, it stuck. Rose, who attracts as much attention for his bookish looks as his cricket, wheeled away as if he took catches like this every day. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, that was their final moment of magic.
SoS answers Scorchers' SOS
Marsh came into this game with a season average of 11, and one double-figure score. He was demoted to No. 3, but instantly looked in superb touch, with attractive cover-drives and pulls.
Eventually, Stuart Broad dismissed Marsh caught behind, but the legwork had been done: the following over, Adam Voges (who went four, six, six) and Turner (who hit his first ball to cow corner for six) targeted Cameron Boyce, taking 24 from it, and ensuring that they would romp into a home semi-final.
Where does it leave them?
Hurricanes finished seventh, just above Sydney Thunder. Scorchers secured a home semi-final, and moved top of the table. Simple.

Will Macpherson writes on cricket for the Guardian, ESPNcricinfo and All Out Cricket. @willis_macp

Win Probability
PS 100%
HHPS
100%50%100%HH InningsPS Innings

Over 14 • PS 135/3

Scorchers won by 7 wickets (with 37 balls remaining)
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Big Bash League

TEAMMWLPTNRR
PS853100.618
BH853100.516
SS85310-0.848
MS84480.397
MR84480.042
AS83560.334
HH8356-0.530
ST8356-0.600