Pakistan star Babar Azam was the drawcard for Sunday’s BBL15 opener at Optus Stadium, but it was local Perth hero Cooper Connolly who stole the show.
Azam, making his debut in the competition and for the Sydney Sixers, managed just two runs in a very short stay at the crease.
However, Connolly again entertained his home crowd with some big hitting in a run chase, leading the Perth Scorchers to a five-wicket win.
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Connolly hit three boundaries and five sixes in a knock of 59 runs from just 31 deliveries, enough to see Perth reach their target of 114 (they made 5-117) with five balls to spare.
Connolly’s innings was a continuation of his terrific form from last season, when he topscored for the Scorchers with 351 runs at an average of 50.14.
His effort on Sunday fell just short of his BBL14 top score of 66.
CONNOLLY BACKS UP MVP CREDENTIALS
It’s a sight Scorchers fans have become accustomed to, but young gun Cooper Connolly once again led the way at Optus Stadium.
The 22-year-old belted five maximums and three boundaries on his way to a wildly impressive 59 from 31 balls, anchoring Perth’s innings to chase down a strong total.
If there were any doubts regarding Connolly’s potential to be a ‘one-season wonder’ they have been well and truly dashed.
In BBL14, the rising star was named the joint MVP alongside Glenn Maxwell, with both of those big-name guns polling 18 votes.
He also made a surprise Test debut in Sri Lanka in January, having already represented his nation in ODIs and T20s.
Connolly was the regular season’s top batsmen, scoring 351 at 50.14 and he followed that form up in the BBL15 opener with a stellar century.
What’s more, Connolly looks to have more power this year, hitting some enormous sixes and muscling off-spinner Todd Murphy over the boundary rope off the back foot.
It’s a scary proposition for BBL rivals, but Connolly could be an even bigger threat this year.
“I thought it was a tough job for the spinner tonight… I thought that was a good match-up to take on,” Connolly said post-match of taking down spinner Murphy.
“AT (Ashton Turner) came to me and said ‘what are you thinking?’ and I said I was going to take it on, this was my match-up.”
EDWARDS DELIVERS CAREER-BEST
Jack Edwards strode to the crease with the Sixers in deep trouble at 4-41.
But the 194cm Sydney star took control to steer the visitors to 5-113.
“Outstanding cameo here – well it’s more than a cameo. It’s the foundation for which the Sixers will look to defend,” Aussie great Adam Gilchrist said.
“He’s been in outstanding touch in Sheffield Shield cricket.”
Edwards got off the mark with a second ball boundary, and when he launched an 83m six off Joel Paris, it sparked an innings that would lead the Sixers to their competitive 113 off the shortened 11 overs.
Given a life in the deep on 38, Edwards cashed in as Gilchrist praised the “brute force” the batsman showed.
“It was a fantastic innings… laid a nice little platform and something to defend,” he said.
Edwards would go to finish with his career-best BBL score of 46 not out off just 21 balls.
WILD WEATHER STALLS BBL
Cricket Australia had described the 2025/26 BBL schedule as a “perfect storm” of fixturing and availability.
But the Perth weather Gods took that literally – as a wild summer thunderstorm saw all players, officials and the crowd evacuated pre-game.
What had been a 42C day turned into a rain-delayed epic as lightning surrounded Perth Stadium.
“Due to approaching lightning, and in the interest of safety, it is necessary to evacuate the seating bowl,” the stadium warning read.
“Please follow directions from stadium staff and seek shelter.”
Play eventually went ahead after more than an hour delay, with the match shortened to 11 overs per side as a result.
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