The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season kicked off with a high-octane encounter at the Perth Stadium on December 14, 2025. In a rain-affected season opener that was reduced to 11 overs per side, the Perth Scorchers secured a hard-fought 5-wicket victory over the Sydney Sixers, powered by a stellar performance from hometown hero Cooper Connolly.
Sixers Inning: Jack Edwards and Josh Philippe Lead the Recovery
After the Scorchers won the toss and elected to bowl, the Sydney Sixers found themselves in immediate trouble. Their marquee debutant, Pakistan superstar Babar Azam, lasted only 5 balls, scoring 2 runs before being dismissed by Brody Couch. The top order struggled to find rhythm as Daniel Hughes fell for a duck in the very first over to Aaron Hardie.
The innings was revived by Josh Philippe, who looked sharp with a quick-fire 28 off 18 balls, including 3 fours and a six. However, the real momentum came from Jack Edwards, who played a blistering unbeaten knock of 46 from just 21 deliveries. Edwards smashed 6 boundaries and 2 sixes, finishing with an incredible strike rate of 219.05.
Young Lachlan Shaw also provided a cameo of 19 from 10 balls to help the Sixers reach a competitive total of 113/5 in their allotted 11 overs. For the Scorchers, Brody Couch was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/12 in his 2 overs, while Aaron Hardie and Joel Paris claimed a wicket each.
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Scorchers Inning: The Cooper Connolly Show
Chasing a target of 114 (at a required rate of over 10 per over), the Scorchers had a horror start. The dangerous Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for a duck by Charles Stobo on the third ball of the innings.
However, Cooper Connolly turned the game on its head. Batting with fearless aggression, the young left-hander hammered 59 runs off 31 balls. His match-winning innings was laced with 5 massive sixes and 3 fours, maintaining a strike rate of 190.32. Connolly anchored the chase, even as wickets fell at the other end.
Support came from Finn Allen (16 off 8) and captain Ashton Turner (16* off 9). Despite a late surge from Sixers’ bowler Ben Dwarshuis, who picked up two wickets (2/36), the Scorchers kept their composure. With 4 runs needed from the final over, they crossed the line with one ball to spare, finishing at 117/5 in 10.1 overs.
Match Highlights & Key Stats
- Result: Perth Scorchers won by 5 wickets.
- Player of the Match: Cooper Connolly (59 runs off 31 balls).
- Top Batsman (Sixers): Jack Edwards (46* off 21).
- Top Batsman (Scorchers): Cooper Connolly (59 off 31).
- Top Bowler (Sixers): Ben Dwarshuis (2/36).
- Top Bowler (Scorchers): Brody Couch (2/12).
Takeaways from the Opener
The match was a testament to the Scorchers’ depth and their dominance at the Perth Stadium. While the Sixers showed resilience through Jack Edwards, their inability to contain Connolly proved costly. Babar Azam’s debut didn’t go as planned for the Magenta team, but the form of Josh Philippe and Edwards provides plenty of optimism for the games ahead.
For the Scorchers, the emergence of Cooper Connolly as a primary match-winner is a terrifying prospect for other teams in the competition. The Scorchers once again proved why they are the most successful franchise in BBL history, starting their BBL|15 campaign with maximum points.
Full Scorecard Summary:
- Sydney Sixers: 113/5 (11.0 Overs) – Jack Edwards 46*, Josh Philippe 28; Brody Couch 2/12.
- Perth Scorchers: 117/5 (10.1 Overs) – Cooper Connolly 59, Ashton Turner 16*; Ben Dwarshuis 2/36.
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