Du Plessis and Inglis turn on the power in huge Scorchers win
The visitors hit the most sixes in a BBL innings while the total was the third-highest ever
AAP
23-Dec-2022
Josh Inglis scored a 33-ball 74 • Getty Images
Perth Scorchers 229 for 7 (Inglis 74, du Plessis 68, Hobson 46, Wood 5-50) beat Melbourne Stars 168 for 8 (Webster 43, Behrendorff 3-32) by 61 runs
Faf du Plessis and Josh Inglis provided the fireworks with blistering half-centuries that powered the Perth Scorchers to a 61-run thrashing of the Melbourne Stars.
Inglis posted the fastest fifty of the season - from just 25 balls - as the reigning champions flexed their muscle at Junction Oval on Friday.
He bettered the mark set by opener du Plessis (68 off 33) earlier in the innings, with the pair helping the Scorchers reach 229 for 7.
It was the third-highest score in competition history - setting a new franchise record in the process - and the first total of 200-plus by any team this season.
Du Plessis' dazzling innings included six fours and five sixes before he was eventually out caught off Luke Wood, who claimed career-best figures of 5 for 50 amid the carnage.
Inglis picked up where the former South Africa skipper left off, smashing five fours and six sixes, while Nick Hobson (46 off 26) also made a strong contribution. He and Aaron Hardie (30 off 17) hit three sixes apiece.
Scorchers' batters combined to send 17 deliveries clear over the short Junction Oval boundaries, a tournament record.
It left Stars needing to pull off the highest-ever BBL run chase, but they only managed 168 for 8.
Stars started positively, skipping to 32 for 0 from three overs, before Scorchers quick Jason Behrendorff removed openers Joe Clarke and Tom Rogers in the fourth.
Powerful allrounder Marcus Stoinis' struggles continued as he managed just 4 from seven balls, following consecutive ducks in the opening two games.
Beau Webster and Nick Larkin tried to lift the Stars but the damage had already been done.