Cooper Connolly fired 59 in 31 balls to help Perth Scorchers to a five-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers in the opening match of the Big Bash League in Australia.
Rain delayed the start and the match at Perth’s Optus Stadium was reduced to 11 overs.
Pakistan’s Babar Azam made his BBL debut for the Sixers, but the opener struggled on a bouncy surface and only managed two before being caught by Laurie Evans off Brody Couch.
Fast bowler Couch, who took 2-12 from his two overs, also removed Sixers wicketkeeper Josh Philippe for 28 to help reduce the visitors to 41-4.
Jack Edwards hit an unbeaten 46 from 21 deliveries – firing two sixes in his eight boundaries – to help Sixers post 113-5.
Connolly came to the crease with the Scorchers 0-1 after Mitch Marsh’s third-ball duck, but while wickets fell at the opposite end at regular intervals, he took the game away from the Sixers with some heavy hitting, firing five sixes and three fours.
The 22-year-old, who helped the Scorchers to the 2023 BBL title in his first season, finally fell to Ben Dwarshuis with his side needing nine runs to win from nine balls.
But the hosts eventually clinched victory with five balls to spare, finishing on 117-5.
