Perth Scorchers have once again proven why Optus Stadium is considered a fortress in Australian cricket. In a high-stakes BBL|15 Qualifier held on January 20, 2026, the Scorchers dismantled the Sydney Sixers by 48 runs, punching their ticket directly to the Grand Final. Despite a modest total on the board, a masterclass in aggressive opening batting followed by a clinical, high-pace bowling display saw the home side outclass their perennial rivals in every department.
Finn Allen stands tall as Perth Scorchers’ lone warrior in BBL|15 Qualifier
Opting to bat first in the heat of Perth, the Scorchers faced an immediate setback when Mitchell Marsh fell to Mitchell Starc for just 5. However, Finn Allen ensured the momentum didn’t stall. Embracing his role as the lone warrior at the top of the order, Allen blazed a trail through the Sixers’ attack, scoring a vital 49 off just 30 deliveries.
His innings, laced with three boundaries and four towering sixes, provided the only real fluency in a Scorchers innings that struggled against the discipline of Ben Dwarshuis and Jack Edwards. While the middle order stuttered, Josh Inglis (2) and Cooper Connolly (8) fell cheaply, Allen’s strike rate of 163.33 kept the scoreboard ticking during the Powerplay. Following Allen’s dismissal, captain Ashton Turner (29) and Jhye Richardson (20) provided late-innings resistance to haul the total to 147/9. Though it appeared under-par at the innings break, the tacky nature of the surface suggested the chase would be anything but straightforward.
Mahli Beardman rips through Sydney Sixers to book their 9th BBL final spot
If Allen provided the platform, it was young sensation Mahli Beardman who pulled the rug out from under the Sydney Sixers. Defending 148, the Scorchers’ defense began perfectly when Connolly removed Babar Azam for a duck in the very first over. However, the true carnage began when Beardman was introduced into the attack.
Beardman produced an exceptional spell of fast bowling that combined raw pace with pinpoint accuracy. He first accounted for the dangerous Josh Philippe (13) before delivering the knockout blow by removing the Sixers’ captain, Moises Henriques, for a five-ball duck. The Sixers’ hopes rested heavily on Steve Smith, who looked a class apart with a gritty 37. Yet, Beardman returned to claim the ultimate prize, inducing a mistake from Smith that was safely pouched by David Payne.
The Sixers’ collapse was clinical and comprehensive. From 23/3, they never recovered, eventually being bundled out for just 99 in 15 overs. Payne supported Beardman with figures of 2/13, while Richardson’s 1/20 ensured no lower-order miracles occurred. The 48-run margin reflected the Scorchers’ total dominance in the field. With this victory, the Perth Scorchers head straight to the BBL|15 Final, while the Sydney Sixers must now reset for a do-or-die Challenger match to earn a rematch.
Cold total, scorching response 😤 Perth bring the fire when it matters most 🔥
⚡ Straight to the final ⚡#BBL15
Scorecard 👉🏾 https://t.co/vN6dj58369 pic.twitter.com/D7DvOFbrM2— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 20, 2026
