The Perth Scorchers have officially booked their ticket to the BBL15 finals, cruising to a comprehensive 50-run victory over the Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium on Thursday, 15 January 2026. The win was headlined by a spectacular maiden Big Bash century from New Zealand import Finn Allen.
Allen's Marvel Stadium Masterclass
Finn Allen single-handedly dismantled the Renegades' bowling attack, smashing an unbeatable 101 runs from just 52 deliveries. This knock marked a stunning turnaround for the opener, who had struggled in his first season in orange, and took his season tally to 312 runs with one match remaining.
His power-hitting was evident from the outset, launching his first six off the fifth ball of the match. Allen's assault included eight maximums in total, with Renegades captain Will Sutherland and leading wicket-taker Gurinder Sandhu bearing the brunt. In a remarkable display, he hit Sandhu for three consecutive sixes to start the eleventh over. His innings finally concluded in the 17th over, caught at long on by Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Scorchers' Batting Depth on Full Display
The Scorchers' formidable batting lineup, featuring stars like Australian white-ball captain Mitch Marsh and young gun Cooper Connolly, once again proved its dominance. This victory marked the fifth time this season the team has posted a total exceeding 200 runs, all achieved away from their home ground at Optus Stadium.
Allen became the second Scorchers batter to score a century this season, joining Marsh who made 102 against Hobart. The team's incredible depth is further highlighted by Ashton Turner's 99 not out and Aaron Hardie's 94 not out earlier in the campaign. Import David Payne even suggested this batting unit could compete for the upcoming T20 World Cup title.
Beardman's Breakout Season Continues
Another key performer was young West Australian quick Mahli Beardman. The 20-year-old, who played only two matches last summer, has become a crucial part of the Scorchers' bowling attack. He claimed two vital wickets in the win, dismissing the Renegades' high-profile imports Mohammad Rizwan (3) and Hassan Khan (4). Beardman now has seven wickets from eight matches this season.
Renegades' Struggles Compound
The match began with an unusual delay when Marvel Stadium ground staff failed to place the boundary rope and padding on a section of the practice wicket, holding up play for nearly two minutes. For the Renegades, the struggles continued on the field.
Pakistan legend Mohammad Rizwan's difficult debut BBL season persisted. After a controversial retirement in the previous match, he was dismissed for just three runs from four balls, caught behind off a leading edge. Rizwan has now managed only 160 runs from nine innings without passing fifty.
The Scorchers' victory, built on Allen's brilliance and supported by a complete team performance, solidifies their status as serious contenders as they return to the BBL finals.
