Scorchers take top spot over Strikers

The score: Adelaide Strikers 6-137 (Weatherald 56; Richardson 2-23, Kelly 2-31) lost to Perth Scorchers 6-141 (Voges 56no, Bancroft 49: Rashid Khan 3-20) by four wickets with three balls to spare.

Match in a tweet: Minor premiers... AGAIN! Scorchers take top spot, secure home decider with thrilling win over Strikers in final Furnace bout #BBL07

The heroes: The ageless Adam Voges fittingly stole the show in the final over of what has become the classic Furnace contest - a low-scoring thriller. Voges has led the Scorchers to a couple of titles and it would be no surprise if he did it againin BBL|07, given the form his team enters the finals in. And despite being in his twilight years, his composed unbeaten half-century showed he remains as crucial as ever to their make-up.

The support cast: The Scorchers quicks have a reputation as being the best in the BBL business and they showed exactly why – again – tonight. Mitchell Johnson bowled four overs for just 17, while Tim Bresnan, Jhye Richardson and Matt Kelly all grabbed two wickets apiece. Despite it being a virtual second-string attack, the quartet stepped up and created constant problems from one of the league's top teams. Cameron Bancroft copped some criticism for his inconsistent Ashes performances but the top-order batsman has been excellent since returning to the Scorchers, and tonight he carried on that fine form, rescuing his team from the precarious position of 4-28 with a fine 49.

The consolation effort: Jake Weatherald pulled off the remarkable feat of hitting his first two balls for six, before going on to carry his side with an impressive 56 from 43 balls, with four sixes. In a disappointing batting display for the Strikers, he was the only player to pass 25. And with the ball, there was Rashid Khan…

The seed: What about this wrong'un from Rashid!? The Afghan import has been superb for the Strikers and this wicket – his third of the innings – took him to the top of the tree for BBL|07, with 17. His 3-20 almost singlehandedly kept the Strikers in the contest.

The controversy: Rashid's second wicket – Ashton Turner lbw from the first ball he faced – was a questionable decision, with replays showing it to be clearly missing leg stump, and reopening the case for the DRS in this tournament.

The real Bash Brothers? Forget Lynn and McCullum, tonight we witnessed just the second set of literal brothers going head-to-head in the BBL. First there was Mike and Dave Hussey, now we have Ashton and Wes Agar. For the record, Wes bowled big bro Ashton two balls, and conceded two singles.

The stat: It's all about the Scorchers. They're the first team to claim the minor premiership three times. They've never finished below third – a feat no other team has managed. And strangely enough, this is the first season they've not won exactly five matches; with the extended 10 match season, they've enjoyed eight wins. 

The quick-fire selection case: Alex Carey earned an ODI debut earlier this month and his little cameo at No.7 today will have alerted selectors to his ability to come in and hit hard from the get-go in the final overs. In 10 balls, he crunched 25 in a superb showing that helped his side to a competitive total.

The Fantasy stars: Rashid's super spell earned him 96 points, while Richardson and Bancroft earned 69 apiece for their shining displays for the hosts.

The next stops: The Scorchers must wait to see who they host in the first final at the new Optus Stadium on Thursday, February 1. The Strikers are in much the same boat, awaiting the identity of their opponent for their home semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Friday, February 2.