Ian Bell and Ashton Turner provided the fireworks for the Scorchers before Mitchell Johnson made a memorable BBL debut
Ashes foes reunite to spark Scorchers
The score: Perth Scorchers 7-197 (Bell 61, Turner 44no) beat Adelaide Strikers 9-149 (Hodge 56, Johnson 3-33)
The match in a tweet: Scorchers sizzle at #TheFurnace! Bell stars with 61 on debut before Johnson's three wickets help seal a BIG win over the Strikers #BBL06
The heroes: Import Ian Bell came into the Scorchers' opening game of BBL|06 under an injury cloud thanks to a muscle strain in his forearm. The 34-year-old hadn’t picked up a bat since the injury and he was dropped first ball, but from there the Englishman starred, turning the momentum firmly back in Perth's favour, striking two sixes and a four in his 42-ball 61.
Ashton Turner then provided the late fireworks for the Scorchers, cracking two fours and four sixes in a blistering knock. Turner joined Scorchers No.8 Ashton Agar in a handy partnership of 33 from 18 balls, and before Agar holed out with one ball remaining on 16 (10), Turner finished the innings in style with a big six, finishing unbeaten on 44 from 19 deliveries. Then, Turner was just as on song with the new ball, allowing just six runs from his two overs and helping David Willey put the Scorchers on top from the outset.
The support act: Scorchers import David Willey only scored two with the bat, but he more than made up for it with the ball, removing Ben Dunk for nought with the third ball of the innings before trapping Jake Weatherald lbw with his next over, leaving the Strikers 2-7. He finished his four overs with 2-13.
The consolation effort: There wasn't a lot for the Strikers to smile about, but Brad Hodge's innings was a bright spot for the visitors. While wickets fell around him, the Strikers skipper led from the front, scoring an excellent 33-ball 56 – which included four consecutive fours off young quick Jhye Richardson - before falling victim to a Johnson slower ball in the 13th over.
The last laugh: Johnson was back at the WACA, he had the ball in his hand, the crowd could not have been more excited. Then Brad Hodge spoiled it all when he firmly dispatched the Australian pace great to the boundary. What a welcome to the BBL! But Johnson had the last laugh, bowling Hodge with a slower ball. In all, he bowled four overs, taking 3-33.
The comeback wicket: Johnson only had to wait another four balls to grab his first ever BBL wicket, Mitch Marsh hanging on to a high catch in the deep to send West Indies star Kieron Pollard on his way for four.
The Ashes enemies collide: Former Ashes enemies Johnson and Bell collided again - and this time it was physical! Mitch Marsh looked certain to snare the big wicket of Brad Hodge with the former Test player unbeaten on 44, that is, until Johnson and Bell ran smack bang into each other as they pursued the same high ball in the field.
The drop: Jake Weatherald became the latest player in BBL|06 to put down a fairly straightforward chance and it proved very, very costly. Bell could have been out on the first ball he faced in the Big Bash League, instead, he scored a superb half-century.
The Benny Hill moment: Scorchers allrounder Ashton Agar looked certain to be run out after a mix-up between the wickets, but a comedy of errors ensued. Just watch the video below.
The stat: In five seasons of the BBL, the Scorchers have won two titles, finished runners-up twice and have never missed the semis, but this was the first time they've won their opening match of the season.
The wash-up: The Strikers are now 0-2 and will be desperate to put their first win on the board when they host the Sydney Sixers on New Year's Eve at Adelaide Oval. The Scorchers are back in action on December 27 when they head to the SCG to try and inflict back-to-back losses on the Sixers.