The Challenger match of the KFC Big Bash League was played between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval, Canberra on 4 Feb 2021. The second finalist team was going to be decided by the Challenger round of Big Bash League 2020-21. Brisbane Heat won the toss and invited Perth to bat first. Cameron Bancroft and Liam Livingstone came on the crease to open. Xavier Bartlett got the responsibility to deliver first over.
That was a convenient start for Perth as they had scored 33 runs without any loss at the end of the first mandatory Powerplay. Both the openers looked in good touch and have added 100 runs on the scoreboard in 9.4 overs. The Scorchers lost the wicket of Liam Livingstone in 11.1 overs but he had done his job, he made 77 runs from just 39 balls at the strike rate of 197.44. After the dismissal, Mitchell Marsh came to join Cameron Bancroft. They also performed very well without any pressure and had put 189 runs on the scoreboard in 18.1 overs. But the rain interrupted the game and it was reduced to 18 overs match by DLS rule. The Heat got the target of 200 runs in 18 overs. Mitchell Marsh performed well and made unbeaten 49 runs off just 28 balls.
Chris Lynn and Joe Denly came to chase the target. Jhye Richardson got the ball in hand to open the attack. That was not a good start for Brisbane and lost both openers in just 3.5 and 3.6 overs. Two wickets in two balls brought the Heat under pressure at the score and then wickets were falling at regular intervals. No batsmen could stay longer and Brisbane could make only 150 runs in 18 overs.
The Perth Scorchers won the match by 49 runs by (DLS method) and Liam Livingstone was the Man of the Match for his match-winning innings.
Stats - Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat Head to Head