BBL 2016/17, Top five moments from the Perth Scorchers-Melbourne Stars semi-final

Perth Scorchers produced a stunning performance to earn a home final by thrashing the Melbourne Stars by seven wickets at the WACA. The Stars could not lift themselves up from a sensational opening spell by Mitchell Johnson, that accounted for three wickets and fetched just three runs.

Their innings ended at 136/8, a below-par total on decent batting conditions. Shaun Marsh, Sam Whiteman and Ian Bell then made light work of the chase racing past the target in 16.5 overs.

Earlier, Seb Gotch and David Hussey lifted the Stars from the ruins created by Johnson with a 52-run stand. But some consistent bowling from Tim Bresnan and Andrew Tye prevented a late onslaught and eventually paved the way for their exit.

Brief Scores: Melbourne Stars 136/8 in 20 overs (Gotch 48, Johnson 3/3) lost to Perth Scorchers 139/3 (Marsh 56, Whiteman 31).

Result: Perth Scorchers win by seven wickets

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#5 Mitchell Johnson's burst

Retired pace bowler Mitchell Johnson provided Perth Scorchers with a dream start by dismissing Rob Quiney and Luke Wright in the first over of the game. Both the batsmen have been in good touch for the Stars in the Big Bash but could not get going today.

Johnson got a bit lucky with the first ball of the day as Quiney flicked a short one from him straight to deep fine leg to depart for a golden duck. Wright followed soon after in the fourth ball as he tried to cut and ended up gifting a catch to gully.

The left-armer must have evoked memories of his Ashes performance, with a maiden double wicket and another maiden to follow up with. Johnson went on to remove Kevin Pietersen, who walked in at the fall of the first wicket, in his third over, which went for just 1. His figures read 4-2-3-3 at the end of his spell.

#4 Seb Gotch and David Hussey revive Stars

Seb Gotch steadied the ship

Wicket-keeper Seb Gotch and David Hussey joined hands after Jhye Richardson dismissed Marcus Stoinis. Gotch was assured in his stroke play right from the start as he blasted Bresnan for back to back fours.

Hussey joined him in the act and lofted Ashton Agar over cover. Gotch then dismissed Andrew Tye over the keeper's head off a top edge. He then launched Agar over his head for another six.

Hussey, meanwhile, smashed Turner over long-on, just about clearing the fielder but fell to him in the very next ball smashing to sweeper cover, where Bell juggled a catch. The partnership, however, took the Stars from 26/4 to 78/5.

#3 Scorchers pacers blaze away the Stars

Tye continued from where Johnson had left off

Mitchell Johnson gave a hint of what was to come, and Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson and Tim Bresnan carried on his good work. While Gotch and Hussey hung around for a bit, Scorchers never lost a grip on proceedings, courtesy their seamers.

Richardson took a cue from Johnson and dismissed Marcus Stoinis to reduce the Stars to 26/4. Bresnan removed the dangerous Gotch, courtesy a brilliant take by Ashton Agar. Tye and Bresnan then kept the batsmen relatively quiet at the death to avoid a last-minute hiccup. Johnson, however, stole the limelight with his four-over burst at the start.

#2 Shaun Marsh celebrates ODI recall with half-century in chase

Shaun Marsh celebrates his recall in style

Australia recalled Shaun Marsh for the ODI series against New Zealand and the southpaw regained some touch with a composed half-century, his second in a row, chasing a relatively low target.

Marsh was crisp and showed his class by flicking the spinners with ease and driving with authority. But the shot of the day was possibly a pull off Gulbis that the square leg umpire had to escape from because of the sheer power in the shot.

With the Indian tour coming up, Marsh sent out a timely reminder with some delightful stroke making. Even though Renshaw has taken over in Tests at the top, Marsh is a contender given his seniority.

#1 Daniel Worrall's fruitless comeback

Worrall picked up an early wicket but was hit to all parts of the ground thereafter

Daniel Worrall played for Australia two months ago in the ODI series against the South Africans. But some ordinary performances meant that he was quickly scrapped from the ODI side.

After mediocre returns in the Shield games, Worrall was picked for the crucial semi-final clash of the Big Bash, his first game in the tournament. Worrall began with a bang by dismissing the dangerous Klinger, with a peach of a delivery that found his edge.

But his day did not get any better as Whiteman and Marsh feasted on his half-volleys. Ian Bell finished off an unceremonious comeback for Worrall, by smoking a six over his head off his final ball.