Bell hit six boundaries and two sixes during his knock of 61
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Ian Bell hammered a sparkling 61 in his first-ever Big Bash League (BBL) match to help the Perth Scorchers cruise past the Adelaide Strikers by 48 runs.
Choosing to bowl first, the Strikers made an early breakthrough as Michael Neser removed Scorchers opener Michael Klinger for just one run.
Bell and wicketkeeper Sam Whiteman made up for the early loss of Klinger with a 57-run partnership before Whiteman was dismissed by Kane Richardson for 22.
Bell and Mitchell Marsh kept the runs flowing with a 57-run stand, during which Bell brought up his fifty, before Marsh was caught and bowled by Chris Jordan for 31.
Jordan also claimed the wicket of David Willey for just two runs before Bell’s time at the crease came to an end when he was run out by Jake Weatherald for 61 off 42 balls, which included six boundaries and two sixes.
Adam Voges and Ashton Agar fell soon after, but a lightning quick 19-ball 44 not out from Ashton Turner saw the Scorchers finish their innings on 197/7.
Neser and Jordan picked up two wickets apiece, while Richardson and Kieron Pollard chipped in with one wicket each.
Chasing 198 to win, the Strikers struggled right from the get-go as opening batsman Ben Dunk was sent packing on the third ball of the innings before Weatherald became Willey’s second victim for just one run.
Things progressively got worse for the Strikers as their middle order failed to have an impact. However, skipper Brad Hodge proved to be the one shining light as he clubbed 56 off 33 balls, which included eight boundaries and a six, before he was clean bowled by Mitchell Johnson.
Hodge made a gutsy 56
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Richardson and Neser put together a valiant 55-run partnership before Neser was removed by Johnson for 17.
Richardson, meanwhile, went on to smash a 28-ball 45 before he was caught by Agar off the bowling of Jhye Richardson.
In the end, the Strikers finished on 149/9 off their 20 overs, leaving them well short of their target.
Johnson was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Willey and Richardon took two wickets apiece. Agar, meanwhile, claimed one wicket.
Turner edged out Bell for the Man of the Match award.